Grade 8 – Structures & Mechanisms
Lesson Summary: Students will create an interactive simulation that demonstrates mechanical advantage.
Curriculum Expectations: These expectations are intended to highlight the many ways in which this lesson could support
the curriculum. It is neither expected nor necessary for teachers to address all of these expectations at once. Teachers
are encouraged to select the most relevant expectations based on their unique context and intentions for the lesson.
Science & Technology
Mathematics
Language - Writing
Overall Expectations
A2. use coding in investigations and
to model concepts, and assess the
impact of coding and of emerging
technologies on everyday life and in
STEM-related fields
A3. demonstrate an understanding of
the practical applications of science
and technology, and of contributions
to science and technology from
people with diverse lived experiences
D2. demonstrate an understanding of
different types of systems and the
factors that contribute to their safe
and efficient operation
Specific Expectations
A2.1 write and execute code in
investigations and when modelling
concepts, with a focus on automating
large systems in action
A2.2 identify and describe impacts of
coding and of emerging technologies,
such as artificial intelligence systems,
on everyday life, including skilled
trades
A3.3 analyse contributions to science
and technology from various
communities
D2.4 use the scientific
terms displacement, force, work, ener
gy, and efficiency to describe
everyday experiences
D2.5 demonstrate an understanding
of the relationships between work,
force, and displacement in simple
systems
D2.6 explain the relationship
between input and output forces and
determine the mechanical advantage
of various mechanical systems,
including simple machines
Overall Expectations
C3. solve problems and create
computational representations of
mathematical situations using coding
concepts and skills
Specific Expectations
C3.1 solve problems and create
computational representations of
mathematical situations by writing
and executing code including
code that involves the analysis of
data in order to inform and
communicate decisions
C3.2 read and alter existing code
involving the analysis of data in order
to inform and communicate
decisions, and describe how changes
to the code affect the outcomes and
the efficiency of the code
Overall Expectations
1. Generate, gather, and organize
ideas and information to write for an
intended purpose and audience
2. draft and revise their writing, using
a variety of informational, literary,
and graphic forms and stylistic
elements appropriate for the purpose
and audience;
Specific Expectations
1.1 identify the topic, purpose,
audience, and form for writing
1.2 generate ideas about a potential
topic, using a variety of strategies and
resources
1.3 gather information to support
ideas for writing in a variety of ways
and/or from a variety of sources
1.4 sort ideas and information for
their writing in a variety of ways
2.1 write short texts using a variety of
forms
2.3 use words and phrases that will
help convey their meaning as
specifically as possible
2.4 vary sentence structures and
maintain continuity by using joining
words (e.g., and, or) to combine
simple sentences and using words
that indicate time and sequence to
link sentences
3.4 use punctuation to help
communicate their intended
meaning, with a focus on the use of:
quotation marks to indicate direct
speech; commas to mark
grammatical boundaries within
sentences; capital letters and final
punctuation to mark the beginning
and end of sentences
3.8 produce pieces of published work
to meet identified criteria based on
the expectations related to content,
organization, style, use of
conventions, and use of presentation
strategies
Breaking Down the Coding Expectations in Science & Technology:
In the Grade 8 Science & Technology curriculum, there are 2 coding related expectations:
A2.1 write and execute code in investigations and when modelling concepts, with a focus on automating large
systems in action
A2.2 identify and describe impacts of coding and of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence
systems, on everyday life, including skilled trades
To paraphrase these expectations and express them in plainer language, students are being asked to:
● write code to demonstrate a science-related concept, focusing on writing code that includes elements of
automation
● show how coding impacts our lives
Both expectations will be addressed through the project.
Learning Goals: We are learning to write code to create an interactive simulation that demonstrates mechanical
advantage.
Success Criteria:
1. I can use conditionals to respond to data in my code
2. I can use user input to influence the progression of my code
3. I can use variables to store and process data in my code
4. I can represent the relationship between input and output forces on mechanical advantage
STEM Profile:
A systems engineer is someone who studies and designs how to design, integrate
and manage complex systems. This is used across many different fields, but is
commonly used in aerospace engineering.
Ave Kludze is a Ghanaian-American who is a senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer
at NASA. Although he never achieved his childhood dream of becoming a pilot,
he is now developing and flying spacecraft for NASA using his knowledge of
complex systems. Lovingly known as “Africa’s Rocket Man”, he wants to share
his childhood love of science with more youth across the African continent.
Like Ave, we will be exploring systems in action to better understand how they
work and what forces are at play. Let’s get started!
Minds On:
1. Students will have different experience levels when it comes to coding.
a) If students have never experienced coding before, please watch the “What is Coding?” video.
b) If students have experienced coding before, have a quick discussion in which students share their definition
of coding. Some responses to look for include:
i. Coding is the language that computers speak
ii. Coding is how we talk to computers or get computers to do what we want
iii. Coding is the instructions that we give to a computer
2. In small groups or as a whole class, brainstorm with students to generate ideas and key concepts that should be
represented in their simulation. Some sample prompts include:
o What is force? What is mechanical advantage?
o How are force and mechanical advantage at play in a simple machine like a lever?
o How does the location of the fulcrum affect the forces and mechanical advantage in a lever?