Assessment 2-3
Assessment 2-3
Essential Question: How can electricity be used to improve our lives?
An Electrical Invention Solves a Problem
Sometimes, electrical circuits and devices can come to the rescue for serious problems. This is true in the development of myoelectric limbs for people who have unfortunately lost an arm or a leg.
The word myoelectric comes from the Latin "myo" meaning "muscle". Therefore, the word "myoelectric" means "muscle-electric". These limbs are a wonder of engineering. The myoelectric limb connects to the skin of the user on what
remains of their arm or leg. When the user makes small movements of his or her muscles, the myoelectric limb senses it and performs an action. For example, the user might twitch a shoulder muscle, and that causes the myoelectric hand
to close.
Video
Watch Kellen's Myoelectric Prosthesis. Kellen even has a music player on his myoelectric arm!
- Electricity Kit items: switch(es), buzzer, (alligator clips), motor, propeller, connecting wires, 2 lamp holders and lamps, battery holder (or thick elastic band)
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Various common home materials, such as tape, thin elastic band, scissors, paper, cardboard, string, or toy building kits (Exact materials depend on the design of vehicle or device you decide to build.)
pencil and paper - Batteries - 2 AA cells or D cell, or a solar cell
- PhET Simulator or Yenka software
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Optional: digital camera or scanner
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Using what you have learned about electric circuits, loads, and power sources, you will design a device that solves a problem. Choose one of the following problems.
Problem 1: Pet Feeder: You must meet the needs of someone who wants help feeding his or her cat. You are to design an automatic feeder. The feeder should drop food automatically when the pet steps on a switch.
Problem 2: Baby Mobile: You must entertain a baby—and be a friend to baby-sitters! Design a pretty mobile that spins hanging toys in front of a baby when someone presses a switch.
Problem 3: Car Reading Lights: A big family has two children who like to read on long car trips, but not always at the same time. To help them—and to keep peace in the car, design a lighting circuit with 2 lamps. They need separate switches, and they all must glow brightly if they are used at the same time. Oh, yes! Mom or Dad wants a master switch to turn all the lamps off (and on!).
Problem 4: Design a circuit that lets you know when an appliance such as a washing machine overflows. A buzzer will sound when the water level raises too high in the container.
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You can choose several methods to design a device:
Method A: Use Electricity Kit items. Include items from around the home if you wish.
Method B: Draw a circuit diagram using paper and pencil.
Method C: Design a simulation for the device using the PhET simulator or Yenka software.- If you choose Method A, you can use a digital camera.
- If you choose Method B, you could use digital camera or scanner.
- If you choose Method C, you can screen capture your image or save your Yenka file for sharing.
- Design your problem-solving electric device using the method you chose.
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Test your problem-solving electric device. If it does not work the way you want, make changes and repeat the testing. Repeat as many times as you wish until the device performs the way you want.
- Provide an explanation of how your device works. The explanation may be written or oral.
Assessment 2-3
Click here to download Assessment 2-3 Problem-Solving. Read this carefully so that you understand the expectations of this assessment. Click here for a printer-friendly version of the file.