As the school year was coming to an end, the 8th grade class finished up their unit on simple machines with a mousetrap project. There was much elation (and yes, some frustration) as the students worked for weeks getting their traps in order, testing out their designs and documenting their process.
From Carol Shibel, Middle School Science Teacher
The 8th grade mousetrap project is the summative assessment for the unit on simple machines. The students are given a box of supplies from which they have to create a functional mousetrap containing 3 simple machines and 3 energy conversions. Working with a partner, they have 8 class periods to complete the project. They keep a detailed journal as they go and at the end present the trap and journal to the class, describing the simple machines, forces, and energy conversions as well as demonstrating the trap.
We think they did a great job catching their rodents.