← Back to course
Everyday Machines / Week 01 / Wednesday
3/6
Week 01 · Machines Everywhere

Wednesday

Look closely at wheels
// What a machine is, and the wheels all around you
⏱ about 15 min

Wednesday: Look Closely at Wheels

Rocket flips a toy car upside down. "Look at the axles!"

Raven spins one wheel with a finger. It turns and turns.

"What do you notice? The other wheel moves too," Raven says.

Nova shines a glowing view through the car.

"Would you like a hint? Follow the rod across," she says.

You need

  • A toy car or a toy truck
  • A wagon or a stroller, if you have one
  • A grown-up to look with you
Safety first
Only use toys a grown-up approves.
Never take wheels off a stroller or a real cart.
Small wheels and pins stay away from mouths and little siblings.

Wheel tour

  1. Turn the toy car upside down with a grown-up.
  2. Find the wheels. Count them.
  3. Find the rod between two wheels. That is the axle.
  4. Spin one wheel. Watch the other wheel.
  5. Look at a wagon or stroller wheel the same way.
WHAT DID YOU SEE?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
What connects two wheels on a toy car?
What shape is a wheel?
Who flips the toy car over?
Thing with wheelsHow many wheels?Did you see the axle?
Toy car
Wagon or stroller
For a grown-up
Help your child spot the axle on each toy.
Ask: what would happen with square wheels?
If a wheel sticks, look together for what is rubbing.
SentenceTrue or false?
The axle connects two wheels.?
You may take the wheels off a stroller.?
Spinning one wheel can turn the axle.?
WHY THIS EXERCISELooking closely shows how the parts work together.
Try it
Roll the toy car on the table.
Now slide it on its side.
Which way did it move more easily?
ROLL OR SLIDE?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which way does a toy car move more easily?
Why does a car on its side slide poorly?
Draw a toy car upside down. Label a wheel and an axle.

You looked like a real engineer today!

Tomorrow we run a fair test with toy cars.

← Tuesday