Summary Build motors into electric circuits and use card stock to make fans, buzz saws and spin art. Science content Physics: Energy forms, Conservation of Energy (1, 3, 4, 5) Physics: Electricity, Electromagnetism (7) Science competencies (+ questioning + manipulation + others that are in every activity) Planning/conducting: planning investigations (3 up) Lessons activity is in Electric circuits Energy forms and transformation Motors Energy from fossil fuels and renewable sources Electricity and magnetism Resource Science as Active Inquiry Materials wires cut from holiday light strings (I do this), or purchased electrical wires, or home made wires batteries, I use AA size small hobby DC motors e.g. from BCRobotix (I use this one) or try CanadaRobotix optional but recommended: motor trays (provide a flat surface to attach card to) I use this one masking tape white card stock and scissors marker pens optional: pipe cleaners and other found light craft materials Procedure Before class: if you have motor trays, attach them to the motor shafts I also spend some time soldering more sturdy wires to the manufacturers motor wires, then zip-typing them to the side of the motor so that they can't be flexed back and forth at the joins. Students build a motor into a simple electric circuit: a battery and motor, connected into a loop with wires, using masking tape to attach the wires to each component. When the loop of the circuit is closed, the shaft on the motor will turn, but often so fast that it might be hard to see - put a piece of tape on it (or on the motor tray) to see it turn. Once students have their motor working, show them the card stock and other materials, which they can tape to the shaft of the motor. Ideas: Fan - a small circle of card cut to make angled blades, which blow air. Saw - a small circle of card with a serrated edge can cut through a piece of tin foil or thin paper (held taught). Colour wheel - add colours to a circle of card. Attach the card to the motor tray to make it spin. The colours blur together. Spin art - tape a 1/4 sheet of white card stock to the motor tray, then hold a marker to the card as it spins. Cut out afterwards. Students can also add holiday lights into the circuit - see the helicopter in the last photo. Notes If it becomes harder to make good connections, the wire ends may have become tarnished as the metal oxidizes in the air. Sand off the wires until they are shiny copper metal again. Idea: Use motors to spin discs with different colour segments on them, to understand colour mixing. Grades taught Gr 3 Gr 4 Gr 5 Gr 6 Gr 7
