Capturing wind energy to run machines

                     Constructing a dragster and making it roll furthest

The Oak Park Education Foundation’s newest program, Geared Up, brings engineering, physical science, math and technology challenges to elementary school students. Geared Up uses Lego motorized Mechanisms sets to teach exciting hands-on lessons, with students testing their own ideas and working in teams of two.

For example, one project has students experiment to determine which will roll further down a hill, a heavier cart or a lighter one. They also test bigger or smaller wheels to see if these affect the speed of the cart. Students make predictions, build carts and a ramp, measure weights and distances. They learn first-hand about friction, mass, moving energy and efficiency.

Geared Up is being introduced in all District 97 3rd grade classrooms in 2009-2010, and plans are underway for our second annual Geared Up summer camp in 2010.

Geared Up:

• Excites students and teachers about engineering and technology
• Prepares a wide variety of students for Vex Robotics in the middle schools
• Connects the community to the classroom by bringing in volunteers, including engineers, technology experts and parents
• Enhances the science and math curricula in elementary school
• Promotes hands-on problem solving and teamwork skills