Ohio Resource Center
[blank]
Lessons
Building A Water Clock
Discipline
Science
Grades
6, 7, 8
Share This Resource
Add To ORC Collection Share via Email Share on Facebook Tweet This Resource Pin it!
Go To Resource >>
Professional Commentary

The purpose of this lesson is to build a feedback-controlled system (a water clock) and research ways to improve the system design. Students read about the history of time keeping devices and then observe a teacher-led demonstration followed by a discussion about the limitations of the simple water clock. Students are then challenged to create a feedback-controlled robotic system that keeps the water level consistent so that a constant drip rate can be maintained. (author/ts)


Next Generation Science Standards (2012)
Scientific and Engineering Practices
 
Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
 
Developing and using models
 
Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
Ohio Science Academic Content Standards (2002)
Science and Technology
Benchmarks (6–8)
A.
Give examples of how technological advances, influenced by scientific knowledge, affect the quality of life.
B.
Design a solution or product taking into account needs and constraints (e.g., cost, time, trade-offs, properties of materials, safety, aesthetics).
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 7)
1.
Explain how needs, attitudes and values influence the direction of technological development in various cultures.
National Science Education Standards
Science and Technology
Abilities of technological design (Grades 5 - 8)
Understandings about science and technology (Grades 5 - 8)