1. Simple Machines –App Review
Summary:
Simple machinesappisatool that letskidsmanipulate six simple machinesthrough
explorationof levers,pulleys,inclinedplanes,wedges,wheelandaxles,andscrews.
Withineachof these 6 machine activitiesthe userisable toalterandtest different
variablestosee how the machine reacts,forexample addorremove anoverlay,
whichshowsthemthe directionof the force andotherhiddenelements.
Age: 4+ Price: $4.99 Source:TinybopInc
About the App:
The featuresof the app are:
- 6 simple machines:levers,pulleys,inclinedplanes,wedges,
wheel andaxles,andscrews.
- Vocabularyin40+ languageswith interactive labels.
Conceptscovered:
While the apphas 6 fixedactivitieswiththe focusonphysics
i.e.force andmotion,actions andreactions,inputsand
outputs,conservationof energy,mechanical advantages,and
tradeoffs.Ithasthe potential to stimulate children’sdesign
and buildingideasthroughthe alteringof the different
machines,methodsforgeneratingideasaboutwhatthe
machine hasdemonstratedandhowthislinkstoreal life
machinesandthe value of persistence throughthe challenges
these activitiesprovide.
For parents:
It isimportantfor parentstoknowthat in orderfor theirchild
to getas much learningoutof the app the parent themselves
shouldbe involvedbyaskingquestionsandgettingtheirchild
to examine theirobservationstoanalyse whatishappening,asthe appdoesnot provide thisinformation.
Activities:
Six activitiespairedwitheachmachine.
1) Use a wedge tospiltupan iceberg
2) Pusha levertodestroya castle
3) Drag planesintothe skywithpulleys
4) Liftfishtankswithscrews
5) Playpinball withinclinedplanes
6) Bike throughan obstacle course withawheel andaxle.
STEM Learning:
The activitiescanbe usedas a catalyst for exploringconstructionandexperimentation. There isplentyof
opportunitytoengage inplayful conservationwithaparentor careerabout the choicesthe childmakesand
to highlightideasof cause andeffect.
Conceptsinclude patterns,movement,cause andeffect, systems,structuresandforces.
Skills–In usingSimple Machinesawide range of skillscanbe supportive witheffective scaffoldingfromthe
educator.These include observing/describing,questioning,predicting/explaining,problemsolvingand
posing,communicating,applyingsciencethinkingpractices,planning,designingsolutions,andevaluating.
