by Julie Serrao, Grade 4 Teacher, TK Campus -

On Tuesday, 8 March, TK made history by holding the very first Olympic games at CIS. However, these Olympic games were not about power, brawn or strength, but rather scientific knowledge, design and collaboration! As a culminating event for our How the World Works unit, Grade 4 students, across four classes, proudly participated in the Physics Olympics.

In the weeks prior to the Physics Olympics, students immersed themselves in inquiry and learning engagements about simple machines and forces. Students learnt about the principles of forces and movement, such as Newton’s Laws of Motion, gravity, friction and kinetic and potential energies. Each week, students experimented with various simple machines such as pulleys, levers, inclined planes, wedges, screws and wheel and axles. Mr. Ben Cooperman, TK’s Design and Technology teacher, also conducted hands on learning experiences in the STEAM lab for students to learn about how screws and wedges work in real life. Students were engaged in using real tools such as hammers, pliers and screws as they investigated these simple machines.

The exciting time came at last when students were introduced to their summative task of creating a Rube Goldberg machine. Rube Goldberg may not be a common name, but his machines are very well known. He was an early 20th century cartoonist and engineer who designed humerous and complicated machines to complete everyday task, such as an automatic back scratcher or a self-operating napkin. The groups had to use their knowledge of simple machines and forces, while applying the Design Cycle: Investigate, Plan, Design, Create, Evaluate.

For the next two weeks, students worked diligently with their teams to design their devices. The first step was devising a proposal of ideas, materials and cause and effect reactions. As Rube Goldberg machines traditionally perform everyday tasks, students came up with creative ideas - staple a page, close a book, water a plant, pop a balloon and even turn on a light. Next came the drawing of a detailed and labelled blueprint design.

Throughout the entire process, students documented their successes, challenges and design changes through photographs and videos to include in their design process video using the Explain Everything iPad application.

Students really took the concept of “upcycling” to heart by reusing and repurposing materials such as cardboard, wood and bottles. Problem solving through the design cycle was mastered by students as they came up with creative solutions to get their machine functioning and performing its goal. As the day of the Physics Olympics quickly approached, design teams ensured that they had their machine working smoothly.

1 of 18

The day of the Physics Olympics finally arrived and you could feel the excitement in the air. As all the grade 4s gathered in the TK gymnasium, we began our opening ceremonies complete with team flags and a procession on stage. The first part of the day consisted of two specific design challenges which allowed students to apply their knowledge of simple machines, forces and the design cycle - “Launch It” and “Balloon Powered Car”. “Launch It” required students to design a catapult to launch a ping pong ball while “Balloon Powered Car” required students to construct a car which would move using balloon air force. In each event, the top two teams received achievement certificates.

The latter part of the day was what all of the students were waiting for. The public debut of their Rube Goldberg Machines. Our guest judges, Mr. Tim, Ms. Cherie, Mr. Assadi and Sir Otto Fong, were ready to provide their feedback on each team’s machine. The gymnasium was a buzz of action - marbles rolling, pulleys swinging, bells ringing, squeals of joy and, at times, groans of disappointment. Parents and special guests alike were treated to the fantastic and creative machines designed by our talented group of young designers. Unfortunately, by the end of the afternoon there could only be a few top machines. Our top teams were the Turquoise Falcons, AKTA and Herd of Nerdz.

This Physics Olympics event truly displayed the perseverance, creativity, ingenuity and scientific knowledge of a very talented group of grade 4 students at TK. It was an event that no one will forget. A special thanks to the organising teachers, Mr. Hendsbee, Mr. Ishii, Ms. Frank and Mr. Cooperman. The Grade 4 team greatly appreciated all of the parent support during this process by listening to design ideas, attending the event and supporting their children’s pursual of science and technology.

Finally, our inspirational group of young designers and scientists truly showed what can be achieved by looking at the world through inventors’ eyes and making the seemingly ordinary turn into something extraordinary!