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Automata - A Webquest for a Stage 5 Design & Technology Project |
All the links in this Webquest open in new windows -
close them when you have finished with them!
Introduction The Task The Process Evaluation Other People's Efforts Conclusion Teachers
| We all love toys - however old we are. Follow this link to the
Mechanical Cabaret Theatre
in London, to be inspired by toys made from all sorts of 'bits and
pieces'. (The links to Artists and Education are the most interesting.) |
 The Task: |
You have visited the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre website. You are
going to make a mechanical toy that will amaze and amuse everyone, ..... or
at least make them wonder how it works! Use the Handout you have been
given to help you plan your project. (Identify your Design Brief and list the criteria in the Design Specification.) |
 The Process:
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You need to know something about different types of mechanisms, and
the movements they produce.
(Research and Investigation) |
First - a tryout
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| The Flying Pig is a company that makes great paper toys - you can make one of these simple toys to get you started. | |
| Choose from those available to you. Complete the toy at home and test it! |
Second - Some Technical stuff!
| Flying Pig Mechanisms Their website also has very clear moving diagrams of how everything works! - click on each example to see what happens. | |
| Here you can find some nifty diagrams which can be started and stopped : | |
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The Brock Institute for Advanced Studies - It's a bit technical - done by engineering boffins, and needs java to work properly, but the mechanisms are very clear. They can be stopped at different points so you can see how they work! |
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| This sheet, with movements shown was developed by the Belper School in UK... | |
Your Rules! (The Design Specification)
| 1 | Function : What is the solution required to do? (This may be one thing, or more) | |
| 2 | Users : Who is going to use it? You need to be more specific than ‘anyone’! | |
| 3 | Manufacture : | a) How will it be made? What are the processes used? |
| b) What materials will it use, how much, cost etc | ||
| 4 | Environment : Where will it be used, any special considerations as a result? | |
| 5 | Safety : What safety precautions may need to be taken? Should use be restricted? | |
Next, brainstorm!
| Marc Horovitz makes automata - these are some of his on his site at Sidestreet Bannerworks. Click on the examples in his gallery for a description and close-up. | |
| On your Design sheet, write down or draw all the ideas you can think of that might make interesting toys. This will help you come up with a range of ideas from which you can choose. Consider whether you can get all the materials you need. |
What equipment and materials will you need?
| You should be able to make use of whatever specific tools you need in the workshop. More importantly, look around to see what you can find that you can adapt or re-use in your toy. Many of he automata in the examples in the various websites listed here use recycled materials. Use your imagination to find a use for strange bits and pieces, and be prepared to look for suitable cast-offs. |
Safety
| Consider both the safety of your finished produce, as well as your own (and others around you) while you are working. |
Recording your progress.
| Record your progress as you go. Start with your Production Plan, a flowchart which helps you identify which order to do things. You should also include a list of all the materials and tools you may need. and keep a diary of the processes and skills you are using. It's important to record what doesn't work as much as what does, so you won't do those things again! |
What if my automaton is fantastic?
| When you present your toy to your classmates in Week 9, Term 2, 2005, you might realise you have a future 'TOY OF THE CENTURY' on your hands. How would you go about making sure that you make the millions? You can Patent it. | |
| Patenting an invention | |
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If you patent your invention in Malaysia, people in other countries can still copy it quite legally. |
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| For information on Patents in Malaysia (Q&A format) | |
| and for a wider audience - UK patent office | |
 Evaluation: |
These are some questions that you need to record the answers to, in your Design Sheet. |
| You need to show how you tested your toy. (Did you get some classmates, or perhaps other students to help?) | |
| Your evaluation should use the same specifications as in your original plan, and answer the question 'Did my movie....?' | |
| What are some important tools and/or skills that are needed in your field? | |
| Where did you find your information? Don't forget to include your bibliography. | |
| You will need to show the Design Process as a record of the development of your project. | |
| You need to make a statement about whether you feel the toy is a successful automaton / toy, and suggest any possible modifications it might need. (You should also report any modifications you made along the way, and explain why.) | |
| Did you have fun? | |
| Good | ||||
(Situation, Design Brief & Specification) |
Doesn't address any of the Essential Questions. Information is random and unfocused. | Covers some of the Essential Questions, but not all. Information may touch on situation, but does not go in-depth. | Gives in-depth information about situation and addresses all areas in some depth. | Meets all requirements for of previous groups and conveys clear understanding of aims to be achieved. |
(Ideas, selection of best option) |
Few ideas. There few or no visuals to accompany information. Lacks organization and originality. | Ideas are shown but lack detail and originality, and might be missing key elements. | Ideas are well presented and accompanied by brief notes, easy to understand. Criteria for selection are listed. | Ideas are unusually imaginative, well presented, and selection of chosen idea is made against clear criteria relating to Design Specification. |
(Background and development of skills and processes involved, possible ideas) |
Does little to process information found. | Selects some relevant information, but only uses one Internet source. | Uses more than one resource and selects relevant information. Records resources appropriately. | Uses many resources, some outside of the Internet. Bibliography well presented. |
(Development of idea, Production Plan, Materials, Presentation) |
No clear evidence of planning or care in development. | Some attempt to follow a plan, little evidence of own initiative. | Some initiative is evident, and application of own research, and adherence to a plan. | As for 'Good', but clear evidence of Project Management shown. May include extras - costing, extra research relating to own project. |
(Development of idea, appropriate use of tools and materials, Safety considerations) |
No clear evidence of following plan, poor use of time and materials. Little adherence to safety considerations. | Some attempt to follow a plan, waits for instructions before proceeding. Minimal adherence to safety considerations. | Manufactures product in accordance with plan. Seeks assistance when necessary. Follows safety rules. | Follows plan, making modifications as appropriate. Proper use of tools and materials. Ensures that safety considerations are observed and applied throughout. |
(Testing, Evaluation against criteria, Possible modifications, suggestions for mass production) |
No attempt made at self evaluation. | No clear evaluation of the overall success of the project. | Some understanding of how the original aims of the project have been achieved. some suggestion of possible modifications. | Clear understanding of original aims against original Design Specification. Evidence of possible modifications for future projects. |
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Recording & Presentation |
Design Sheet is incomplete and does not show progression. | Design Sheet shows some evidence of progression, but some sections are incomplete. | Design Sheet shows progression and evidence of development, but lacks depth. | Design Sheet demonstrates progression, good understanding and development of techniques. Well presented with evidence of high quality drawings and illustrative records. (e.g. photos, videos etc) |
| Cabaret Mechanical Theatre has worked with schools in UK to help them develop their programmes. Find out more... | |
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Do you think this is new stuff? Not at all - look at what our forefathers amused themselves with! Check these ones at home! |
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A gallery of Automata (photos and info) from 1700 – 1914 |
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And for a bit of slightly unrelated fun - all sorts of illusions |
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| By now you should have a good grasp of the many different types of mechanisms, and had fun combining them in an imaginative package. And, with any luck, you have the enthusiasm (and the patent information) to go on to be a future 'Toy Millionaire'! |
developed by Lesley Lee for the Year 9&10 Design & Technology students of the Australian International School Malaysia.
February 2005
