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Everyday Machines / Week 10 / Machine Day
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Week 10 · Springs and Click Pens

Machine Day

Machine Day: Spring Hunt
// A spring pushes back
⏱ about 15 min

Machine Day: Spring Hunt

Rocket races around with a notebook. "Spring! Spring! Another spring!"

Raven smiles. "What do you notice about where springs hide?"

Nova glows over a stapler. "Would you like a hint? Press and listen."

Rocket slows down and presses the stapler. Click!

  1. A spring stores a push or a pull.
  2. Squeeze a spring, and it pushes back.
  3. Stretch a spring, and it pulls back.
  4. More squeeze means more push.
  5. A click pen uses a spring to push the tip back.
◇ FAMILY SPRING HUNT
Walk through your home together.
Press, squeeze or stretch things gently.
Does it push back or snap back? It may have a spring.
Check a stapler, a clothespin and a spray bottle.
Count your springs. Who found the most?
Pick one. Tell how its spring helps it work.
For a grown-up
Approve each item before a child presses it.
Keep springs inside their machines today. No take-aparts.
Ask: what would happen without the spring?
Safety first
Look and press. Do not open anything today.
Stay away from outlets, appliances and anything plugged in.
Small parts stay away from younger siblings and mouths.
SPRING HUNT CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
You press a stapler and it pops back up. Why?
A toy has a spring. Can you take it apart today?
Draw your favorite spring machine from the hunt.

You are a spring detective! Next week, we look at how a car moves.

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