Performance Assessment- Simple Machines and Engineer Design Process!

Student Objective: The fourth grade students will be able to use some of the six simple
machines to move an object from point A to point B.

Each of you are tasked with finding a solution to a problem that needs fixing. The stuffed animal
Teddy Bear, Cuddles from yesterday needs help again. His little sister Bubbles needs to get to
the back table for dance recital, around fifteen feet. How are you going to get her there?
Remember use your own ideas and fill in the inquiry sheet as you go! After you are done with
the machine design and creation, write an explanation of why you constructed the machine the
way you did. Also include what materials you used and why.

Explanation
Why did you construct the machine the way you did? What materials did you use and why? How
did you modify your construction?

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Below is the grading rubric for this project.

3 2 1

Function Machine functions Machine functions, Machine does not

well, multiple simple one simple machine function, no simple
machines are used or was used or created. machines were used
created. or created.

Design Machine design was Machine design was Machine design was
thoughtful, creative, creative, and not thought through
and intentional use of intentional use of and materials were
materials were used. materials were used. used unintentionally.

Appearance Machine was built Machine was built Machine was built
with care and looks with some care and with little or no care
organized. looks organized. and doesnt look
organized.

Modification/Testing Clear evidence of Some evidence of Little evidence of

testing, and testing and testing or refinement.
refinements based on refinements.
data or scientific
principles.

Explanation Explanation by Explanation by Explanation by

student indicates a student indicates student does not
clear and accurate relatively accurate illustrate much
understanding of understanding of understanding of
scientific principles scientific principles scientific principles
underlying the underlying the underlying the
construction and construction and construction and
modifications. modifications. modifications.