This lesson gives a brief lesson on manufacturing and the assembly line. Students will discuss facts about manufacturing and a brief history of the assembly line. They will then participate in a hands-on activity by replicating an Assembly Line and putting together balsa wood gliders. (Most appropriate for grade levels 4-8)
Lesson Time: 45-60 minutes
Student Activity: Students are assigned positions and work together in an assembly line to create balsa wood gliders. The impact of each position and the concepts of productivity, cost, and efficiency are discussed at the end of the activity.
Technology Standards: Strands: Design and Technology
Topic 1: Define and describe technology, including its core concepts of systems, resources, requirements, processes, controls, optimization and trade-offs.
Topic 3: Demonstrate that solutions to complex problems require collaboration, interdisciplinary understanding, and systems thinking.