Guide - Simple Machines and Linkages

Explore unique type of joint with beams, the sliding linkage. Students will gain practice and confidence with making joints and discover real-world engineering connections. The springy nature of the plastic joints pop the umbrella open.

Please note this resource was tailored for US schools and may require adjustments to suit UK schools.

🇬🇧 Teacher Notes

### Lesson Structure

When students go through this lesson in each section, the objectives they will learn are:

* **Imagine** – Link knowledge between mechanisms found inside umbrellas.
* **Build** – Create links with pivoting joints to form an umbrella.

Teacher Notes

Overview and Objectives

Materials

#### Teachers: Preparing Your Students (15 min)

When students begin the lesson, they start in [Overview and Objectives](#overview-and-objectives), then transition to this [Preparation](#preparation) section. Presented in their view is a vocabulary list of terms and infographics illustrating concepts across STEAM domains throughout this entire lesson.

There is an extra guide for preparing student readiness for their first engagement of new terms and content knowledge. Print or distribute the guides digitally. 

* Read through the vocabulary list. (5 minutes)
* Review the 6 simple machines. Download the optional asset and share to students. (10 minutes)

#### Vocabulary (5 minutes)

This is the list of vocabulary terms used throughout the lesson. They will be in **bold** and listed throughout the different sections.  Students can always revisit the vocabulary definitions with media and questions in the lesson. (5 minutes)

#### Simple Machines and Linkages (10 minutes)

Review the simple machines and linkages. There is an **optional** guide used as a printout or can be shared online to students before they engage this lesson. Each simple machine is designed to make work easier or more efficient and referenced in this lesson. Download the optional guide. (10 min)

Preparation

### Sliding Linkages in Umbrellas

* Tools are useful for changing the size of a force, the direction of a force, or speeding up work.
* Some tools use levers and **linkages** to perform work. One type of **linkage** is a **sliding linkage**.

  * A **sliding linkage** is made up of 3 **links.**
  * This linkage is a type of **joint.**
  * Two of the **links** are two fixed points, and the other link slides between the fixed points.
  * The moving link rotates around the **pivot point.**
* An umbrella is an example of a sliding linkage.

  * A sliding joint connects the stretcher and the rib of the umbrella.
  * When the stretchers are pushed fully out, the ribs extend out and open the umbrella.
  * To collapse the umbrella, the stretchers slide down the umbrella shaft, and pull down the ribs of the umbrella.
* This tool was invented many thousands of years ago to provide protection from the sun, called a parasol.

Umbrellas are a very lightweight tool that is easy to carry. The simple mechanism found inside helps umbrellas spread out to provide ample cover from the rain and the sun.

Imagine

Create the handle and the umbrella's top

Make locked joints held by friction

Fit the joints to the umbrella's top then create the internal hub

Slide the hub along the handle and connect to the joints

Close the handle and attach straws for tips then test

NGSS

Florida - NGSSS

Build

References and Extra Resources

STEAM Classroom

United States

Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

3-5-ETS1-1

Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

3-5-ETS1-2

Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.

3-5-ETS1-3

Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.

MS-ETS1-1

Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

MS-ETS1-2

Students develop, test and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process.

ISTE Students

1.4.c Innovative Designer

Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations.

Intro: Sliding Linkages

Overview and Objectives

Lesson Structure

Overview