Bobbleheads
Julie Thomas, Ph.D.
Oklahoma State
University, 2011
Why Bobble Heads?
What makes the bobble head
dogs a plausible activity for
middle level students is that it
provides the opportunity to
explore principles of force and
motion, systems, and simple
machines, in that the bobble
head dog itself is a first class
lever!
Foster, 2003
Purpose
• Explore the relationship
between force and
motion in a simple
machine
• Make observations and
predictions.
• Construct a bobble head
thing using simple
materials.
Observation
• Observe the dog and
how its head moves.
• Think of a question about
how the dog’s head is
put together to make it
ready for movement. The
question may be
answered only with a
“Yes” or a “No.”
Prediction
• Now, use your observations and the
information from the class discussion to write
out your prediction of how you think the dog
works.
• Support your prediction with evidence from
your observations.
• Draw a labeled illustration of your prediction
of what the inside of the dog might look like.
Look Inside
• Now carefully pull off the dog’s head and
observe how it is put together.
• Draw the actual mechanical design of the dog
and explain how it works.
Construction
• Using the materials
provided, construct
your own shaky head
thing.
• Draw a picture of your
creation. Label the
parts. Describe how it
moves with regard to
what you have
learned.
Assessment
• Rubric which addresses scoring in three
domains:
• Bobability—Does the object “bob” more than
5 seconds?
• Justification—Can students explain the
relationship between force and motion?
• Construction—How well engineered is the
object?
Inquiring Minds
Team Effort
Data-Driven Decisions
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