Project Description
Toy Technology
Be immersed in the wonderful science of toys. Explore energies, materials, movement and sound. Spin some colour, use magnets to draw, and make a balancing toy. Play has never been so educational!
Level: Available for Foundation through to Year 2.
Duration: Available in a 60 or 90 minute format. We recommend a 90 minute format if budget and timetabling constraints allow.
Numbers: Each workshop can cater to a maximum of 30 children. However, smaller groups have better access to equipment and the facilitator.
State: VIC, NSW & QLD
Learning Outcomes
- Understand what a toy is; what its purpose is; how they work; what they are made from; and who the inventors and makers of toys are.
- Toys can be classified based on movement, sound, energy, and materials.
- There are differences between toys of the past and modern day toys.
- Stored (potential) and moving (kinetic) energy are important for making toys work.
- Understand concepts of balance and the centre of gravity using toys.
- Push and pull forces, and gravity can be used to make toys move and work.
- Some toys incorporate magnetic forces.
Toys can produce sound in a number of ways.
Activities
- Each student investigates and classifies at least two toys of today based on various characteristics.
- Whole group investigation of toys of the past and how they differ from present day toys.
- Two impressive balancing demonstrations using kitchen utensils and toys. The effect of changing the centre of gravity on balance is modeled and discussed.
- Each student makes a balancing toy.
- Demonstration of spinning toys and balance, including gyroscopes.
- Students use spinning toys that draw interesting patterns.
- Demonstration and discussion of sound toys and how they work.
- Engaging demonstration and discussion of moving toys and energy stored in coils and springs.
90 minute workshops also include these activities:
- Students use iron filiings and magnets to explore magnetic forces and magnets in toys.
Multiple demonstrations of classic science toys as an introduction to science concepts like perpetual motion, waves and momentum.
Victorian Curriculum Links
- People use science in their daily lives (VCSSU041)
- Objects are made of materials that have observable properties (VCSSU044)
- The way objects move depends on a variety of factors including their size and shape: a push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape (VCSSU048)
Respond to and pose questions, and make predictions about familiar objects and events (VCSIS050)
NSW Curriculum Links
- Identifies that objects are made of materials that have observable properties (STe-4MW-ST)
- Observes the way objects move and relates changes in motion to push and pull forces (STe-5PW-ST)
Observes, questions and collects data to communicate ideas (STe-1WS-S)
Australian Curriculum Links
- People use science in their daily lives, including when caring for their environment and living things (ACSHE035)
- Objects are made of materials that have observable properties (ACSSU003)
- The way objects move depends on a variety of factors including, their size and shape (ACSSU005)
Pose and respond to questions, and make predictions about familiar objects and events (ACSIS024
