Times Out!

Year 3
Introduction: Attention year 3 scientists! All the clocks around the globe
stopped working. There are many people who are waking up late for work or
leaving school at a much later time because no one knows what the time is!
The time is what helps navigate people through their day to day life, without it
everybody’s schedule won’t march up. You are the only hope to design and
create something that will be able to help people to tell the time!

Brief: In groups of 2, you and a partner will design and create a prototype that
will help people to tell the time without the use of clocks. You will be given 7
lessons to plan and create your products. You must use as many recycled
and natural materials as you can which will be given to you by your teacher.
If you have anything from home you would like to use, please ask your teacher
first. Some things you should consider in your planning and creating:
 How will people be able to use it?
 How will you use the materials to help create your product?
 What have you talked about in class that would assist you in telling time?

Generating designs: Firstly, you and your partner must conduct some
research some information designs that you could use to assist you in making
your prototype. Between you and your partner you need to construct 1 design
each, that is a total of 2 designs which all have the annotations of the materials
you are using. The final design must be chosen between you and your partner,
you may choose to make a new design together if you wish. You will then be
given 2 lessons to construct your prototype before presenting it to the class.
You will be able to make 3 changes to your design if your first idea does not
work.

Project specifications:
 Must be made mostly from recycled or natural materials (you can ask
your teacher if you have certain materials you want to use).
 Must be able to be used for everyday use
 Must be able to withstand harsh weather
 Must be able to help tell the time of the day (cannot be a clock)

Project management:
1. Conduct some research as to what people may have used before clocks
were invented and look at some designs you could use with the materials
provided.
2. Brainstorm some ideas that you could use in your design and creation.
 3. Create your own design that will show what your prototype will look
like, ensure that you use annotations.
4. With your partner choose one design that you want to create, or you
can create a design together (remember you can only change 3 things
on your design). Once you have chosen your design show your teacher.
5. Collect the materials you need either from the classroom or from home.
6. Each pair will be given 2 one-hour lessons to create their prototype
product. During your second one-hour lesson is the last time that you
can make changes to your work.
7. The sixth lesson will be when your group will explain your prototype to
the class and explain how your device will work.
8. After the presentation you and your partner will be given an evaluation
sheet which asks you to answer questions about your planning and
creation process. This is to be done on your own.

Evaluation:
During the evaluation process you will be given a worksheet which will ask
you to answer the following questions:
 What went will with your design?
 What would you have changed in your design?
 Do you think that this product would be useful for everyone to tell
time? Why or why not?
 How well do you think you and your partner worked together?
 Do you think your design would be able to survive everyday use and
withstand different weather conditions?
 Did you use your time wisely, why or why not?
 How do you think you went overall?

Presentation:
You and your partner will be presenting your prototype to the class. During the
presentation the teacher will ask you different questions, including how your
device would work, how it helps tell the time and what changed you had to
make to your design or the issues you experienced. So be prepared!

Time:
Lesson 1: 1-hour researching and brainstorming
Lesson 2: 1-hour planning and designing
Lesson 3: 1-hour to create your product
Lesson 4: 1-hour to create and make final touches on your product
Lesson 5: Presentation
Lesson 6: 1-hour for answering evaluation questions