Year 1 - Design and technology
Selecting an axle for a windmill
Rotary mechanisms: windmills
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit introduces knowledge of simple rotary mechanisms that create movement. Pupils will investigate how windmills work, consider sail design, and produce a working model that will be tested for stability and movement.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to make, test and choose an axle for your windmill.
Key Notes
- Pre-cut wooden dowel makes an effective axle.
- The dowel axle will need to spin freely and not be fixed.
- Attaching sails to the axle may need different joining techniques.
Vocabulary To Learn
- axle: a rod that holds the sail in place and allows it to turn
- model: making an example of something to test or to learn new skills
- test: trying something to see if it works and to make changes or improvements to it
- rotary motion: something that turns around in circles
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- An axle needs to be fixed.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Pre-cut wooden dowel makes an effective axle. The dowel axle will need to spin freely and not be fixed.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'axle'
a rod that holds the sail in place and allows it to turn.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: An axle needs to be fixed. Correction: An axle needs to be free moving, able to turn. The sails turn on the axle.
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