Meccano Machines

Use teamwork & tools to create compound machines

Machines that really work

Students use hand tools to create simple and complex machines with Meccano during this hands-on school STEM workshop. The students learn about levers, pulleys, gear trains, inclined planes, wheels and axles whilst working in pairs or threes.

What’s it like? Well, imagine 30 students all frantically working on their Meccano build projects across your classroom floor. Teamwork, problem-solving and simply using the tools are all part of the challenge – the students absolutely love it and many of them have never even heard of Meccano!

Apart from applications of science and mathematics, this workshop exposes students to the importance of following instructions and provides an avenue towards improving spatial and fine motor skills.

Quick Links

Australian Curriculum Mapping

for all science workshops & shows

Australian ACARA Content Outcomes:
Science

Forces can be exerted by one object on another through direct contact or from a distance (ACSSU076).

Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to solve problems that directly affect people’s lives (ACSHE083).

Australian National Curriculum Mapping for all our science workshops & shows

NSW SCIENCE SYLLABUS CONTENT

for all our incursions

NSW K – 10 Science Syllabus mapping for all our incursions

NSW Science & Technology Content Outcomes:
A student

ST3-9PW-ST
investigates the effects of increasing or decreasing the strength of a specific contact or non-contact force.

ST3-2DP-T
plans and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity

Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus
(Implementation from 2027)

For explanatory points & implementation advice for each dot point, please visit the NESA Science and Technology K–6 Curriculum site

ST3-PQU-01
poses questions to identify variables and conducts fair tests to gather data

ST3-DDT-01
uses design processes to create, evaluate and modify designed solutions

NSW K – 10 Science Syllabus mapping for all our incursions

Print a PDF which details K to 6 mapping of all our science visits

Victorian F – 10 Science Curriculum

Forces can be exerted by one object on another through direct contact or from a distance (VCSSU064)

Victorian Design and Technologies Curriculum

Investigate how forces or electrical energy can control movement, sound or light in a designed product or system (VCDSTC034)

Investigate characteristics and properties of a range of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment and evaluate the impact of their use (VCDSTC037)

Print a PDF which details P to 6 mapping of all our VIC science visits

School Testimonials

View All

Condell Park Public School

Feedback on:
Years 5 and 6 Create a Buzz programme

Enthusiastic presenter - good rapport with students. The programme (sic) was informative and age appropriate.

Requirements

Appropriate for Years 5 & 6 with a maximum of 30 students per class
(if you are looking to run this in Years 3 & 4, it is possible but please know this will be challenging for them).

10 Tables arranged around a room

Chairs are not required

Duration 2 hours (Can be tailored to fit with your school’s timetable), set up time 15 minutes and pack up time 15 minutes

The nature of this workshop means that some students will finish early whilst others will get within 3/4 of completing their machine due to varying abilities

During Social Distancing – Contact us
and we’ll tailor a program to suit both your school and the State’s social distancing requirements. Further details here

Go further – Complete Units of Work to support your teaching!

Hours of High-Quality videos, printable experiments, quizzes, vocabulary lists,
Scope & sequences, cross-curricular teaching ideas, marking rubrics & more
Save time & engage students in STEM

Find out more!

Did you know about our larger stage shows?

Designed to engage groups of up to 240 students, pair this workshop with one of these school favourites!

Cost

$600 inc. GST for a 2-hour workshop.

Find out about offers & discounts here!

In a regional area? Find out how we can attend your school as part of a country science tour!

Call 1300 856 828, or click below to make a booking for your primary school.

Print a PDF for mapping of all our K to 6 science visits

Find out more here

Enquire Now

Extension Ideas!

STEM Full Day Accelerator - Primary

Create a Full Day STEM Accelerator or join us for a rapid science upskill! For schools outside of metropolitan areas please contact us to discuss how this science workshop can be run online or visit your school as part of a regional visit.
Click below to know more!

Scientist Q & A

Often students attend our science workshops and shows with questions that stem beyond the covered topic area. Ask a scientist aims to give students a chance to get their questions answered! Run as a 30-minute session at a cost of $70 inc. GST.

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School Comments View All

I just wanted to pass on how much the staff and students really enjoyed it and how perfect it was to launch our science week activities. The students were enthralled, educated and entertained – a perfect trifecta!

-Caulfield Grammar School – Big Science Big Fun

Thanks so much for presenting at our school on Monday. Our students enjoyed the show.

-Greenvale Primary School – Big Science Big Fun

Fizzics Education curated a thoughtful and hands-on experience for the children, incorporating practical, skill-based learning activities and followed by a science presentation at the end of the event involving liquid nitrogen. This was delivered safely and effectively, capturing both the children and the parents for the duration of the presentation.

-Macquarie Bank – Family Fun Day

Fizzics Education ran a show today at our school and it was wonderful. He was a great facilitator and the show was age appropriate and well done.

-Mount Zion Early learning centre – Little Science Big Fun