1.32 Gear Up: Gears and How They Work
Part of the National FFA “Grow Your PALS Program Guide” mentoring curriculum (Lesson 1.32, Mathematical Applications unit), this small-group lesson teaches young students what gears are, identifies common objects that use them, and explains why gears are important. Through a “Go Get It” interest approach, a hands-on bottle-cap gear demonstration, and a bicycle gear-ratio experiment, students discover how gears transfer force and energy into motion.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Identify three common objects that use gears.
- Define a gear.
- Describe why a gear is important.
- Time required
- 50 minutes
- Materials
-
- Mountain bicycle (best to have one with multiple gears)
- Clock that uses gears (optional)
- Electric drill (optional)
- Different gears you may find in common objects
- Two bottle caps per student (the kind with crinkly edges)
- PALS.1.32.SG.TM.A – printed out if you do not have the real items
- PALS1.32.SG.AS.A – cut and place around room with geared objects
- PALS1.32.SG.AS.B – one per student
- Precepts
- P. Technical and Functional; J. Mental Growth; J1. Think critically
- Lesson Type
- Small Group
- Key Terms
- Gear, Force, Energy
- Unit
- Mathematical Applications
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- NL-ENG.K-12.12Applying Language Skills
- NM-CONN.PK-12.3Recognize and Apply Mathematics in Contexts Outside of Mathematics
- PST.03.02.02.bDescribe features, benefits and applications of mechanical transmission components, including belts, chains, gears, bearings, seals, universals and drive shafts.