Mechanical Engineering

GRADES 1 - 6
SLIME!

OBJECTIVES:

Students are introduced to the basic engineering concepts of friction and lubrication using gelatin cubes.

Students will be able to identify the effects of friction: heat, wear, failure, resistance.
Students will learn that some lubricants can only be used with certain materials.

NATIONAL SCIENCE STANDARDS:
Physical Science:
Properties Of Objects And Materials (K-4)

Positions And Motion Of Objects (K-4)

Properties And Changes Of Properties In Matter (5-8)

Motions And Forces (5-8)

Science As Inquiry:
Abilities Necessary To Do Scientific Inquiry

Science and Technology:
Understanding About Science and Technology

STANDARDS FOR TECHNOLOGY LITERACY:
The Nature of Technology:
Students will develop an understanding of the core concepts of technology.

Design:
Students will develop an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, research and development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem solving.

LECTURE AND PREPARATION TIME:

4 hours
LESSON TIME:

30 minutes
WORDS TO KNOW:

engine

friction

hinge

lubricant

lubrication

machines

protrusions

wear

This lesson was originally developed by the Wisconsin Section of the Society of Women Engineers as part of an Elementary School Outreach Activities Kit and was the recipient of the 1997 SWE Corning Incentive Award. We wish to recognize Robin L. Wolff, P.E. for her efforts in creating this wonderful career guidance tool. A special thanks to her son, Rick, and his friends for testing each of the activities in the original kit. This lesson has been adapted for the SWE Internet Activities Center through a Microsoft Fund program grant.

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