My child built a water wheel with a pie tin

Math

• The child learned about measurement and diameter while cutting the pie tin into the right size for the water wheel.
• They gained an understanding of fractions by dividing the pie tin into equal parts for the wheel blades.
• They applied geometry concepts when creating the shape and size of the blades for the water wheel.
• They practiced counting and basic arithmetic when assembling the parts and calculating the rotations of the wheel.

Science

• The child explored the concepts of energy and force by observing how the water flow made the wheel turn.
• They learned about the natural resource of water and its ability to provide energy for mechanical work.
• They gained an understanding of engineering principles through the design and construction of the water wheel.
• They learned about the concepts of potential and kinetic energy as they observed the movement of the water wheel.

Encourage your child to experiment further with different materials and designs to see how they affect the performance and efficiency of the water wheel. They can also research the history and applications of water wheels throughout different cultures and time periods.

Book Recommendations

• by Kelly Doudna: This book introduces simple machines and provides hands-on activities for kids to understand the concepts involved.
• Energy Island: How One Community Harnessed the Wind and Changed Their World by Allan Drummond: This book tells the true story of how a small island transformed their energy consumption through the use of renewable resources like wind power.
• The Water Princess by Susan Verde and Georgie Birkett: This book is inspired by the childhood of supermodel Georgie Badiel and tells the story of a girl's quest to bring clean drinking water to her African village.