The activities in this section will focus on a motor powered by an everyday battery. In order to implement this section, you will need an erector set with a motor. Review with the children the things they already know about electronics, and see how much information they are able to provide about a motor prior to beginning this section. Many children may be able to tell you something about the motor in their car.
Begin by allowing students to build their own structures with the erector set using the screwdrivers and wrenches provided. This is to ensure that they are adept with the tools before trying to create a functional finished product.
Have the class vote on what they would like to build. (Enclosed with most erector sets are directions on how to build specific types of things). Once you have decided what to make, you are ready to begin construction! Once construction is completed, you should be able to attach the motor, and run your machine. With many of the older erector sets, you need to remove the battery, turn if around and replace it the opposite way in order to reverse the action. For example, if you have built a crane, when you put the battery in one way, the crane will raise an object. In order to lower the crane, you will have to reverse the battery. The necessity to manually reverse the battery will actually work as a teaching tool. The principle of reversibility is such an abstract concept, that having to remove and turn the battery around to reverse action will help you class grasp the concept.
Tell your students they will be working independently in small groups on specific tasks. Divide your students into appropriate groups that will be able to work effectively together. Provide different projects for each group to work on. Once you have chosen the projects, you will be able to decide how many days the groups will have to work. Have the groups share their projects with the class.