Jitterbugs
Suitable for years 2 – 8. Taking about 1 – 2 hours
Starting with a kit of parts, pupils build a jitterbug using simple tools. Once built and switched on the out-of-balance motor produces vibrations, which travel down the flexible legs and cause the jitterbug to move in an unpredictable manner.
Suitable for years 3 – 9. Taking about 1 ½ – 2 hours
As an extension to Dancing Jitterbugs, the pupils make a basic switch from paper and foil to turn the motor on and off.
Suitable for years 5 – 9. Taking about 2 – 2 ½ hours
An extension to Dancing Jitterbugs adding a LED lamp and buzzer whose actions are controlled by a two-way switch.
Another switch controls the motor.
Jitterbugs activities address the following curriculum topics.
Design & Technology:
- Try out tools and techniques
- Assemble and combine components
- Design and make images and artefacts
- Work as a team and follow planning
- Review what they and others have done
- Identify what they might change to make it better
- Carry out tests before making improvements
- Recognise that the quality of a product depends on how well it is made
- How mechanism can be used to make things move in different ways
Science:
- Cells (batteries) giving electrical energy
- Conductors carry electricity
- Metals are conductors
- Non-metals are insulators
- Vibrations produce movement and sound
- Electricity flows in a particular direction
- The direction of an electric current decides which way a DC electric motor turns
- A wheel mounted eccentrically causes vibration
- The super Jitterbug also explores polarity in components