All games made in conjuction with SMALLab Learning

Gear Ratio Game

Game 1 of 4 in the Simple Machines series

We recommend playing the Gear Ratio game first so that students understand how they control the input gear. The right arm should be extended directly in front of the body. The right shoulder becomes the pivot point. Tight circles around the shoulder joint make smaller gears, larger circles create a larger diameter. Match the ratio for two revolutions and win the point!
For more info click here.

Le Tour de Force

Game 2 of 4 in the Simple Machines series

Two students compete in a hilly bike race powering the bikes with the spinning of their arms. We challenge the misconception that many middle schoolers hold that “bigger is always better”. When the bike will not move up the steeper hills they realize they must change the diameter of the input gear –should it be smaller or larger?
For more info click here.

The Lifting Gears Game

Game 3 of 4 in the Simple Machines series

This is the most sophisticated game in the series because student must master diameter but also direction of spin as they wind the winch up and down to place the boulders on the conveyor belt. In this fun fast-paced game they lift boulders from a quarry using a winch controlled by the spinning of their right arms. The game addresses a common misconception about the size of input gears.
For more info click here.

Red Rover

Game 4 of 4 in the Simple Machines series

Students take turns using gesture to learn about third class levers by operating a rover-type vehicle on Mars. One player has the role of driver (like driving a tank) and the other has the role of crusher, using their arms as levers to crush or crack rock specimens. This game represents a third class lever system (like tongs) and can be compared to 1st and 2nd class lever systems. It includes fun competition as two-player teams race to see who can collect the most rock specimens!
For more info click here.

• ·    Low stakes practice with the mechanics of Kinect
• ·    Engage in light competition with other playing dyads! Students keep track of which team cracked or crushed the most rocks.
• ·    Encourage discourse between two active students

Students will learn:

• ·    How to match ratios
• ·    Difference between input and output gears
• ·    Ratio is actually mechanical advantage
• ·    Difference between input and output
• ·    Gear ratios and mechanical advantage
• ·    What is force
• ·    What is a Newton
• ·    Graphing and coordinates
• ·    Difference between input and output
• ·    Gear ratios and mechanical advantage
• ·    Why direction of spin is important
• ·    Explore Mechanical Advantage (compare to how that maps to a gear system)
• ·    How a 3rd class lever differs from other classes

Gear Ratio Game - Teacher Guide
Le Tour de Force - Teacher Guide
Lifting Gears Game - Teacher Guide
Lifting Gears Game - Quick Start Guide
Red Rover - Teacher Guide

Standards: Next Generation Science Standards:

Core and Component Ideas:

PS2.A: Forces and Motion
PS3.A: Definitions of Energy
PS3.B: Conservation Of Energy and Energy Transfer
PS3.C: Relationship between Energy and Forces
PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes and Everyday Life

Crosscutting Concepts

Patterns
Cause and Effect: Mechanism and Explanation
Systems and System Models
Energy and Matter: Flows, Cycles, and Conservation
Science and Engineering Practices
Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Developing and Using Models
Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Using Mathematics, Information and Computer Technology, and Computational Thinking
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Standards for Mathematical Practice
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
Reason abstractly and quantitatively
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others
Model with mathematics
Use appropriate tools strategically
Look for and make use of structure
Mathematics Content Standards
Ratios and Proportional Relationships
Expressions and Equations
Functions

PC:

1GHz or better processor
1GB or more RAM
DirectX9 compatible or better Graphics Card

Mac:

OSX 10.6 or Later
Boot Camp Support Software 5.1 or Later

Kinect v1.0:

PC
Windows XP or newer
Dual Core 2.66 GHz or better processor
2GB or more RAM
Kinect 1.0 Sensor
USB 2.0 bus dedicated to Kinect
DirectX 9.0c compatible or better Graphics Card
The latest Kinect for Windows drivers from Microsoft