Educational presentations

With a degree in applied math and computer science, Larry worked for several years in the computer field before completing a degree in elementary education, and eventually combining his loves of teaching, entertaining, and science. This combination of skills has resulted in Larry performing for thousands of school children every year.

All of the programs described elsewhere on this site are available for schools. However, due to Larry's advanced interest in education, one particular show was designed with a science curriculum in mind.

The program is described fully below to help teachers understand how to best integrate the performance into the classroom.

How to Catch a Mouse: Simple Machines At Work

A pulley is being used to lift another object.

Balloons are used to construct a Rube Goldberg-style mousetrap intended to solve the problem of a mouse on the loose. Many student volunteers are used to aid in the construction of this working machine. Student knowledge of how machines work and their eagerness to set their trap in motion make this an enjoyable show for everyone involved.

Goals

• To introduce or re-enforce concepts about the nature and structure of simple machines.
• To encourage problem solving.
• To present an unusual art form to students.

Combining simple machines results in more elaborate machines that can solve other jobs. Pictured here is a small conveyor belt constructed out of just a couple of balloon pulleys.

Grade Level

Children of all ages from kindergarten through middle school can benefit from this program. Presentations to younger grades focus on the concepts of simple machines working together and encourage problem solving skills through the use of common objects. The names and functions of the basic machines are stressed. In addition to the basics, older children are presented with a bit more information on the forces in nature that affect the way machines work.

Curriculum Correlation

• Science - The lever, wheel, pulley, gear, inclined plane, and screw are the basic units used to construct all larger machines. By working with an unusual medium, students learn that these machines can be made out of anything and see uses for them that are not always obvious.
• Math - Students are encouraged to build problem solving skills by trying to work out ways of using the basic machines to construct a working mousetrap.

Audience volunteers are crucial in the completion of the working mousetrap.

Getting ready for the performance

• Examine machines in the environment and learn to recognize the components of machines in the classroom.
• Discuss the basic elements that complex machines are built with.
• Discuss ways of putting simple machines together to form a more complex one.

After the performance

• Identify the things that make the balloon mousetrap different from and similar to other machines the students are familiar with.
• Try to recreate the mousetrap on paper or with another medium.
• Discuss other unusual machines designed to solve common problems. Some groups may wish to design a new Rube Goldberg style machine to do another simple task.
• When the performance is geared at small groups, all of the balloon structures are left in the classroom in order for students to experiment with the unusual machines.

Demo

Several years ago I had an opportunity to make a short demo of this show with Scooter of Just Clowning Around. Check out the video page to see the demo.

References/Bibliography

• The Way Things Work by David Macaulay

In the News

Schools looking for information or looking to book performances should contact Young Audiences -

Rochester area: Young Audiences Rochester / 585-530-2060 / yastaff@yarochester.info
Buffalo Area: Young Audiences of Western NY / 716-881-0917 / info@yawny.org
All other areas, contact Larry directly.