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STEMStart! organized the Linkages workshop by partnering with the Lawrence Hall of Science. This workshop is dubbed an Ingenuity Challenge by the Lawrence Hall of Science. On October 1, 2022, students ranging from 4th to 8th grades participated in a hands-on 2.5-hour workshop where they learned about mechanical linkages. Through this workshop, participants learned how to design and build moving toys using two-dimensional mechanical linkages. Students discovered their inner engineer and artist by using mechanical linkages to prototype mechanisms (be it a walking person, a bicycle, or an amusement park ride) that brought animated characters from their imagination to life. While growing interested in mechanics, participants also began to understand the nuances of motion and other physics principles by testing their knowledge through continuous experimentation. Students finished up the workshop by putting their creativity, knowledge and skills into making multiple moving toys that they could demonstrate and explain the principles behind confidently.
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Missed the event? Checkout the following MIT lesson to learn about different linkages
Why did STEMStart! choose linkages as the area of interest? |
Linkages are enriching to learn |
Linkages are useful in today's world |
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Linkages are a foundation for mechanical engineering, which is a robust area of study where students must understand the ethical practices of engineering, calculus and physics, dynamic systems, how to use mechanical instrumentation, and chemistry and biology. Related coursework include mechanical design, electrical circuits, programming, thermodynamics and many other engineering concepts that provide hands-on lessons. Hence, learning linkages as a young child in elementary or middle school is quite enriching in that it fuels interest in sciences like physics, biology and chemistry in high school, higher level mathematics like calculus, and mechanical engineering in university. |
Without mechanical engineering, we would not have things like engines, generators, elevators or even air conditioning. While we might not even realize it, we most likely use something that has been mechanically engineered every day. Mechanical engineering plays a critical role in manufactured technologies, from cars to airplanes to refrigerators. It enables you to do many daily activities with ease, as it brings helpful technologies to our modern society. It is one of the most important subdivisions of engineering, because without it, many of the technologies we use every day would not be available. |
FAQs on Linkages
USEFUL EXTERNAL RESOURCES TO GET STARTED
Ideas for making your own linkages at home
https://makered.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Lighthouse-Project-Guide-Linkages.pdf
A multi-session curriculum about linkages and mechanism, with some great ideas for making your own cardboard linkages:
https://www.citytechnology.org/force_and_motion/mechanimations/
Guide to building a specific linkage with materials
https://learn.birdbraintechnologies.com/hummingbirdduo/projects/mechanisms/mechanisms-linkages/
A cool computer program for exploring force and motion:
http://www.algodoo.com/
Amazing kinetic sculptures that use linkages
http://www.strandbeest.com/
Animations of a few different linkage mechanisms*
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/systemscontrol/mechanismsrev3.shtml
https://makered.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Lighthouse-Project-Guide-Linkages.pdf
A multi-session curriculum about linkages and mechanism, with some great ideas for making your own cardboard linkages:
https://www.citytechnology.org/force_and_motion/mechanimations/
Guide to building a specific linkage with materials
https://learn.birdbraintechnologies.com/hummingbirdduo/projects/mechanisms/mechanisms-linkages/
A cool computer program for exploring force and motion:
http://www.algodoo.com/
Amazing kinetic sculptures that use linkages
http://www.strandbeest.com/
Animations of a few different linkage mechanisms*
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/systemscontrol/mechanismsrev3.shtml
INTERESTING CAREERS TO PURSUE RELATED TO LINKAGES
Short Answer: Becoming an inventor and builder
Long Answer: There are many options! Some options include becoming a...
Product Designer: Product designers are responsible for developing ideas for products to suit a particular function and aesthetic. They are in charge of envisioning how a product would work, deciding how it should look and selecting the product's materials or components. Product designers determine the parameters for a product, draw schematics outlining the product's function and work with a product development team to test and refine their design. When creating a new product, product designers consider the needs of the user, considering factors like affordability, ease of use, comfort and style.
Architect: Architects use knowledge of mathematics and physics to design buildings, structures and complexes. They draw blueprints that visually represent how a building would look and indicate the measurements of each part of the structure. Architects research potential building sites to determine the feasibility of constructing different designs at each location. They prepare reports detailing how much each aspect of their design would cost, what materials to use and how long the project could take. Architects collaborate with construction workers during the building process to ensure the structure is safe and stable.
Robotics Engineer: Robotics engineers design and build robots. They create machines and connect them with software to control the operations of the robot and remotely input commands. Robotics engineers develop systems to automate activities using mechanical features. They perform calculations to refine the robot's output so it can better replicate how a person would complete a task. Robotics engineers can design additional features like sensors so that robots can interact with their environments and adapt to outside interactions.
Civil Engineer: Civil engineers are design professionals who design infrastructure and transportation projects like roads, cannals, bridges, tunnels, dams and water treatment facilities. They oversee all of the planning and construction activities involves with completing complex public works projects, producing systems and structures that support the general function of society. Civil engineers consider the technical requirements of each type of infrastructure and calculate the optimal specifications and work processes for stable, safe and durable construction.
Carpenter: Carpenters construct furniture and structures made of wood and related materials. They interpret blueprints and manuals to create the internal framing for houses and buildings, install floors, build cabinets and repair wooden fixtures. Carpenters treat and prepare wood, cut it into the appropriate shape, assemble wooden pieces then fasten them together with screws, nails or adhesives. Carpenters sand their creations to create a smooth surface, apply wood stain and add polish to finish their project.
Welder: Welders use heavy machinery to bend and combine metal pieces into new structures. They assemble metal pieces to install mechanical features, fabricate equipment and create metal fixtures. Welders measure and cut metal sheets, beams and rods to fit into a customized shape. They then affix the pieces together by searing the metal in high temperatures. Welders read engineering plans to determine the proper specifications for each welding project and ensure structural integrity
Long Answer: There are many options! Some options include becoming a...
Product Designer: Product designers are responsible for developing ideas for products to suit a particular function and aesthetic. They are in charge of envisioning how a product would work, deciding how it should look and selecting the product's materials or components. Product designers determine the parameters for a product, draw schematics outlining the product's function and work with a product development team to test and refine their design. When creating a new product, product designers consider the needs of the user, considering factors like affordability, ease of use, comfort and style.
Architect: Architects use knowledge of mathematics and physics to design buildings, structures and complexes. They draw blueprints that visually represent how a building would look and indicate the measurements of each part of the structure. Architects research potential building sites to determine the feasibility of constructing different designs at each location. They prepare reports detailing how much each aspect of their design would cost, what materials to use and how long the project could take. Architects collaborate with construction workers during the building process to ensure the structure is safe and stable.
Robotics Engineer: Robotics engineers design and build robots. They create machines and connect them with software to control the operations of the robot and remotely input commands. Robotics engineers develop systems to automate activities using mechanical features. They perform calculations to refine the robot's output so it can better replicate how a person would complete a task. Robotics engineers can design additional features like sensors so that robots can interact with their environments and adapt to outside interactions.
Civil Engineer: Civil engineers are design professionals who design infrastructure and transportation projects like roads, cannals, bridges, tunnels, dams and water treatment facilities. They oversee all of the planning and construction activities involves with completing complex public works projects, producing systems and structures that support the general function of society. Civil engineers consider the technical requirements of each type of infrastructure and calculate the optimal specifications and work processes for stable, safe and durable construction.
Carpenter: Carpenters construct furniture and structures made of wood and related materials. They interpret blueprints and manuals to create the internal framing for houses and buildings, install floors, build cabinets and repair wooden fixtures. Carpenters treat and prepare wood, cut it into the appropriate shape, assemble wooden pieces then fasten them together with screws, nails or adhesives. Carpenters sand their creations to create a smooth surface, apply wood stain and add polish to finish their project.
Welder: Welders use heavy machinery to bend and combine metal pieces into new structures. They assemble metal pieces to install mechanical features, fabricate equipment and create metal fixtures. Welders measure and cut metal sheets, beams and rods to fit into a customized shape. They then affix the pieces together by searing the metal in high temperatures. Welders read engineering plans to determine the proper specifications for each welding project and ensure structural integrity
HOW TO STAY INTERESTED AND INVOLVED
- Take a Physics course
- Take a Calculus and Trigonometry course
- Take an Engineering course
- Take on DIY Linkages projects--be it building toys, fixing any object with gears in your house, or checking out the projects in the External Resources tab
- Speak with and learn from Linkages experts
- Join a Robotics team
- Pursue higher education related to linkages (the most relevant major is mechanical engineering).
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