Mobile By Alexander Calder...Our Inspiration!

The second graders have been exploring simple machines in more detail.  They have constructed a basic beam balance using just a beam and a fulcrum (this is a crude lever).  The children then practiced balancing cubes (the load) in different combinations across the beam.  Ask about their challenge: 19 cubes on one side of the beam…and only 1 cube on the other!  They thought it was impossible to do!!!

This week we read about an artist named Alexander Calder.  He is said to be the originator of the mobile.  We examined some of his artwork, and then we began to think about the science that was involved when he was putting together his mobiles.

We noticed that he was basically suspending levers from fulcrums…and that the colorful shapes were the weights used to balance the whole creation!  

So we decided to create our own hanging levers with fulcrums to honor Mr. Alexander Calder.