As part of our technology this term Grade 6 are building rotating fairground rides; some are based on carousels (horizontal rotation) and some on ferris wheels (vertical rotation). The objective was to make our rides rotate using cogs, pulleys, motors and batteries.
 
We used a program called ‘Focus on Technology: Fairground Rides’ to help us. It showed us real rides and gave us ideas for model versions. It also showed us how to motorize the rides.
                              
Photo of an American Ferris Wheel.           Model, battery-operated Ferris Wheel
      
Photo of a merry-go-round.     Model, battery-operated version
Simple circuit design for a rotating ride.
We designed our own rides and started building them using spar, dowelling, wheels and lollysticks. Our designs have had to be adapted several times, but they are beginning to take shape. Click on the link below to see some of the stages of our model-making.
  
  
Although this slideshow shows some of the development stages of our rides, they are all at different stages. Please watch out for part 2 of this blog (which is coming very soon) showing the completed – and motorized – rides!
LEGO MODELSÂ
Last term, we used Lego Technik to build fairground models. The models have motors built into them and are attached to a Lego ‘RCX brick’; this brick is a micro-computer and downloads software called Robolab from the computer – this software controls the ride. There are several rides to make, this is a carousel: to see it moving, click the link.
This is the ghost train: to see it moving, click the link.
To see some images of Grade 6 building their Lego rides, click the link to see the slideshow.
I love what you all have done its amazing right know I would love to be there with all of you, I miss you all kisses and hugs to all.