Author

Tara Peach

Title

An introduction to Pressurized Fluids and Hydraulics

Grade Level

Eight

Subject Area

Science

Overview of unit/lessons/activities (assumptions of prior knowledge/learning)

The following lessons are aligned to the curriculum outcomes for grade eight sciences: fluids unit. The following lessons are designed to introduce the topics of pressure in fluids and hydraulics using a variety of internet resources and the computer software program: Inspiration 6.0 or Inspiration 7.0. It is assumed that students have an understanding of the Particle Theory of Matter by this point and are also familiar with how the particles in a fluid behave.

Correlations to ICT and curriculum outcomes

Grade 8 Science Outcomes:

309.3 Describe quantitatively the relationship between force, area, and pressure.
111.5 Describe the technologies underlying particular technologies designed to explore natural phenomena, extend human capabilities, or solve practical problems.

ICT Outcomes:

BOC 9.1 Operate a wide variety of school media, computer, and other educationally appropriate equipment for learning, communication, and the representation of their learning, independently and safely with teacher supervision.
PTS 9.1 Use software to brainstorm, develop a thought web, outline, and map ideas under study with the independence.
PTS 9.2 Explore the curriculum concepts under study using specialized software; measuring, sampling, and recording equipment / and computer-based simulations, with teacher assistance.

Projected timeline for preparation and for carrying out activities

The suggested timeline for the following lesson plan ideas is four sixty minute class periods.

Equipment Requirements: (computers, software, etc)

Equipment requirements for completing these activities are computers with internet access, as well a the software program Inspiration 6.0 or Inspiration 7.0.

Teaching materials provided (Blacklines, worksheets, templates, teacher materials)

The following materials are available to help conduct these lessons:
All About Pressure in Fluids (PowerPoint format) (pdf format)
Particle Theory - Sample Concept Map (Inspiration 7)
How Hydraulic Machines Work Webquest (Word format) (pdf format)
Inspiration Concept Mapping Assessment Rubric (Word format) (pdf format)
Water Pressure and Hydraulic Systems Concept Map Assignment (Word format) (pdf format)

Resources available for teacher/student use (websites, references, etc)

The following websites are available:

Inspiration Tutorial:

http://lrt.ednet.ns.ca/PD/pdf/insp_v7.pdf (Version 7.0)
http://lrt.ednet.ns.ca/PD/pdf/insp_v6.pdf (Version 6.0)

Computer Simulation on Hydraulics:

http://static.howstuffworks.com/flash/backhoe-loader-standard-hydraulic.swf
http://www.scispy.ie/Imgs_content/hydraulics.swf

Detailed instructions for each activity or lesson (teacher notes, activity information, learning strategies, teacher role, student roles)

The following outline is recommended for this lesson:

Day 1: 60 minutes – Use PowerPoint All About Pressure in Fluids to introduce the concept of pressure in fluids. Supplementary worksheets area available at the following website: http://www.tcny.edu/~schauer2/Lesson_Plan .htm

Day 2: 60 minutes – Use Water Systems and Hydraulic Systems document to guide students through important terms dealing with water pressure and hydraulics. Students can use the internet website provided or Science Power 8 text to guide them through terms. Once students have completed this assignment, work through an Inspiration tutorial (website above) to introduce them to concept mapping using this program. Included above is a sample concept map for discussion with students.

Day 3: 60 minutes – Computer lab required. Students will use Inspiration 6.0 or 7.0 to create a concept map using the terms from day two. Use the concept map assessment rubric (Word format) (pdf format) to assess this lesson.

Day 4: 60 minutes – Computer lab required or you may want to print off sheets from the website printed at the top of the sheet. This lesson will be a webquest using the How Hydraulic Machines Work (Word format) (pdf format)

If students are finished with this web quest early, they may wish to move onto the following two computer simulations on hydraulics:

http://static.howstuffworks.com/flash/backhoe-loader-standard-hydraulic.swf
http://www.scispy.ie/Imgs_content/hydraulics.swf

Student products expected

The following student products are expected:

1. A completed Inspiration 6.0 or 7.0 concept map.
2. A completed web quest on the basics behind hydraulics.

Samples (include teacher notes, assessment information, student work if available)

The following is a sample concept map created using Inspiration 7.0:

Particle Theory - Sample Concept Map (Inspiration 7)

Logistics (organization, grouping, management issues, access to technology)

The above lesson plans would be completed ideally on an individual basis. However, due to limited resources, teachers may need to pair students up during concept mapping and completing the web quest.

Access to the Internet and the software Inspiration 6.0 or 7.0 is also required.

Assessment information (e.g., rubrics for products and/or process)

The following assessment rubric would be used:

Inspiration Concept Mapping Assessment Rubric (Word format) (pdf format)

Possible extensions

Teachers may want to extend this unit by investing time in creating a hydraulics project. This project may include building a hydraulic robot arm, which may take up to 3-6 weeks. The following website is an excellent resource for building ideas:

http://www.amersol.edu.pe/_@kacres/hydraulics.html

Adaptations for students requiring additional support

One adaptation that may be made to these lesson plans would be to limit the number of concepts (terms) that students would have to use when creating a concept map. Also, providing sample concept maps as a visual guide is also a suggested adaptation.