(Full teacher resource documents are included in the PDF)
Lesson Focus Lesson focuses on the use of weight scales and measurement by manufacturing engineers. Teams of students are posed with the challenge of developing a system to fill jars with a specific weight or count of products such as marbles or paperclips.
Lesson Synopsis
A Question of Balance explores how engineers use scales and measures when designing a manufacturing process to ensure that final products are uniform in weight or count. Students explore different types of scales, and are challenged to design and build a system to deliver a uniform count or weight of marbles or paperclips into a series of four boxes or jars. They test their systems and evaluate the systems of other student teams.
Age Levels: 11-18
Objectives
Learn about manufacturing engineering.
Learn about manufacturing systems.
Learn about weight packaging and consistency.
Learn about teamwork and working in groups.
Anticipated Learner Outcomes
As a result of this activity, students should develop an understanding of:
manufacturing engineering
problem solving
teamwork
Lesson Activities
Students learn how manufacturing engineers develop systems for creating consistent products. They work in a team to create a system that delivers a consistent weight or count of marbles or paperclips to a series of jars. Teams plan their system, execute the system, evaluate their own results and that of other students, and present to the class.
