Funtastic Gears A LEGOLAND Florida Educational Resource Guide Grades K-2 Table of Contents Welcome Page 1 Background Information Page 2 Before and After Visit: Minds-On Investigations Page 3 LEGOLAND Investigations: Discovery Worksheet Page 4 Hands-On Investigations Page 5 About Funtastic Gears: Objectives and Standards Page 6 Welcome to LEGOLAND Florida! Education Programs: Funtastic Gears was developed by the LEGOLAND Education Department. For information on LEGOLAND Education programs, visit http://florida.legoland.com/en/buy_tickets/groups/education_programs/. Directions: LEGOLAND Florida is located in Winter Haven, just 45 minutes south of the Orlando theme parks. From Orlando take 1-4 west to exit 55 (U.S. Hwy 27 South). Turn right off U.S. Highway 27 at State Road 540/Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Park is 4 miles on the left. Just 45 minutes from downtown Tampa. From Tampa take 1-4 EAST to Exit 27 (Polk County Parkway). Exit Winter Haven (2nd Toll Booth) at S.R. 540 and follow eight miles to Hwy 17 North. Take Hwy 17 North two miles over the bridge to first light and turn right. Follow the signs to LEGOLAND. Arrival and Entry: Please arrive 30 minutes before your program. Teachers must be present during the 45-minute program. Lunches: School groups may bring lunches in disposable containers or may be pre-ordered when you book your program. Safety: LEGOLAND Parks are built to the highest standards of quality and safety. Height restrictions apply on selected attractions throughout the park. Funtastic Gears Resource Guide 1
Background Information Gears make work easier! Gears are wheels with teeth. Gears always work together. When the teeth of two gears mesh, the first gear s teeth push the next gear s teeth to make it move. The driver is the gear that starts the movement. The follower gear is turned by the driver. Gears can change the direction of movement. When the teeth of two gears mesh, they turn in opposite directions. You can see this work on a handheld can opener. An idler gear makes the neighboring gears turn in the same direction. A gear train is formed when many gears mesh, as in a lawn mower or big machine. Gears can change the speed of a machine. When two gears of the same size mesh, each gear turns at the same speed. Gearing up is when a large gear turns a small gear. A machine goes faster with less power. When you gear up on your bicycle, your pedal cranks a large gear that drives a small gear, and your pedals turn faster, easier. Gearing down is when a small gear turns a large gear. The machine goes slower with more power. When the Kid Power Tower ride at LEGOLAND gears down, the ride comes down smoothly and slowly, instead of dropping suddenly. Additional Resources Fun Time Gears Set and Fun Time Gears II Pitsco/LEGO Education Primary Simple Machines Set/Activity Pack Pitsco/LEGO Education Funtastic Gears Resource Guide 2
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Hands-On Activities Gears 1. Think of things that make movements in a circle. Here are some ideas: Can opener, merry-go-round, bicycle tires, music box dancer, egg beater, fan, electric shavers. Gears cause the movement to go in a circle. Can you see the gears or are they hidden? 2. Discuss and show examples of these gear types: a. Gear b. Two gears mesh in what direction does each gear move? c. Gear train in what direction will the last gear move? Hint: With an odd number of gears, the last gear turns in the same direction as the first gear. d. Drive gear e. Follower gear f. Gearing up name a LEGOLAND ride that uses gearing up, going faster. g. Gearing down name a LEGOLAND ride that uses gearing down, going slower. Build a LEGO Model with Gears! 1. In pairs, get a LEGO kit and follow the instructions to build a LEGO Model. 2. Show your model to the class. Talk about how you and your partner built your model. What kind of gears does it use? Funtastic Gears Resource Guide 5
Florida State Standards KINDERGARTEN Science/Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science SC.K.N.1.4 Observe and create a visual representation of an object which includes its major features SC.K.N.1.5 Recognize that learning can come from careful observation SC.K.N.1.5 Investigate that things move in different ways, such as fast, slow, etc. Big Idea 12: Motion of Objects SC.K.P.13.1 Observe that a push or pull can change the way an object is moving MAFS.K12.MP.1.1 MAFS.K12.MP.3.1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. GRADE ONE Science/Big Idea 12: Motion of Objects SC.1.P.12.1 Demonstrate and describe the various ways that objects can move, such as in a straight line, zigzag, back-and-forth, round-and-round, fast, slow Big Idea 13: Forces and Changes in Motion SC.1.P.13.1 Demonstrate the way to change an object is by applying a push or a pull MAFS.K12.MP.1.1 MAFS.K12.MP.3.1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. GRADE TWO Science/Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science SC.2.N.1.1 Raise questions about the natural world, investigate them in teams through free exploration and systematic observations, and generate appropriate explanations based on those explorations SC.2.N.1.2 Compare the observations made by different groups using the same tools Big Idea 13: Forces and Changes in Motion SC.2.P.13.1 Investigate the effect of applying various pushes and pulls on different objects SC.2.P.13.4 Demonstrate that the greater the force (push or pull) applied to an object, the greater the change in motion of the object MAFS.K12.MP.1.1 MAFS.K12.MP.3.1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Funtastic Gears Resource Guide 6