“Why don’t you guys all work together because all your ideas can make something cooler, better and badder!” an instructor told some students as one of this week’s classes was getting down to mechanical action business. Reaching the end of this exciting Mechanical Action Month we strove to reinforce and expand knowledge of gears and how groovy they can be! 

 

Cool Cams

Last week the focus was on worm gears that can transfer motion from linear to rotary, and this week we looked at the egg-shaped cam! The cam has the ability to transfer motion from rotary to linear, in opposition to the worm. Being able to move in different planes is pertinent to creating robots or simple machines with vast capabilities, and that’s exactly what we like to see! In addition to cams, the classes this week talked about one of the most versatile manipulatives – the universal joint! 

 

Universal Joints

The u-joint, as it is often called, looks much like a ball and socket joint such as the shoulder or hip because it allows an array of directional movement. Composed of two joints, one vertical and one horizontal, the u-joint is quite a unique manipulative! Concluding the final lesson of Mechanical Action Month, students were given the option to build a simple machine using u-joints, cams or rack and pinions (or challenge themselves to use all three!) to review all the cool tools we have been learning about in the lab. 

 

Manner of Mind

One of the most significant things we teach our students is how to think differently! Unlike many grade-based education systems, we promote problem solving logic that stems from embracing challenges and learning from mistakes. This week we pushed our students to think about three things: creating, imagining and innovating. If their first creation or project doesn’t work the way they want to, they must become innovators to problem-solve! In the wise words of Woody Allen: 

“If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign you’re not doing anything very innovative.”

 

Pushing the Limits 

With the close of a memorable Mechanical Action Month we saw our students grow tremendously as young learners. Some are becoming budding engineers and tenacious programmers, while others are showing us a thing or two in the lab! One instructor noted the cleverness of a student to the class, “This guy thought of a new way to use a pin groove! I’ve never seen it used like that before.” The PCS Edventures Lab is a sanctuary of learning and creativity as well as imagination and innovation for students and instructors alike. 

 

Next week is the start of Zombie Month in the Lab! Check out next week’s blogs to see the coolest of creations.