Static and Kinetic Friction
You or your team has a project: to find out how much friction force must be overcome in order to move an object.  There are a large number of objects available for you to examine in the classroom; use your imagination!  There are three different surfaces for your tests.  These include your benchtop, the metal sheet in the back of the room, and the wood plank.
In your investigation, you must decide what variables you will use, and how to obtain the measurement data.  You also must interpret these data for the class in a clear and correct manner.  Since this is an inquiry activity involving friction, the activity must be able to be reproduced by any member of the class, and everyone must be able to reproduce your data.  Here are the required components of the activity:
1.	Question to be answered
2.	Hypothesis
3.	Step-by-step procedure
4.	Selection of variables to measure
5.	Data collection method(s)
6.	Tables, graphs, graphics used to explain the data
7.	Follow-up questions for the class
You may conduct this investigation by yourself or with a partner.  Groups of three or more are not permitted without my express permission.  Make sure that you are able to explain and/or demonstrate to the class what force, torque, vectors, mechanical advantage, efficiency, and the effects of various angles to the normal have on the application of force to the machine.
Conduct the necessary research for this project, and have a question for investigation and a hypothesis by the end of this period, which must be approved by the instructor before you may continue.  You will have an additional hour to develop a procedure and conduct a trial of the experiment.  After reviewing the data with me, you will have one more hour to refine the experiment and finish working on your lesson presentation.  During the last hour, each person or team will present their ten-minute lesson to the class.  This will be followed by a discussion of the presentations and review questions.  Here is a rubric to guide you in your activity.
A. Lesson Component | Description
Inquiry question | This is the focus of the activity: you will answer the question
Hypothesis | This is a prediction of what will happen when you conduct your investigation
Materials | Required supplies and tools for the investigation
Procedure | Step-by-step process that explains how you will test your hypothesis
Selection of variables | These are the experimental variables that you will change in order to obtain data
Data collection | Explains how you measure and record the data, and how you will interpret them
Data analysis | Includes all relevant mathematical treatment of the raw data needed to test your hypothesis
Conclusions | Critique of the data.  Why does iit support the hypothesis?  How could you change the experiment to improve the results?
B. Presentation Component | Description
Clear statement of question and hypothesis | Should be given in narrative form at the beginning of the lesson
Introduction to the simple machine | Describe how it transfers forces from one part of the machine to another part
Variables tested | Describe the variables involved in the test process
Experimental procedure | Demonstrate the experimental process in the correct sequence.  Reading a step-by-step procedure is not required, nor is it recommended.
Data analysis | Demonstrate to the class how you mathematically process the data to obtain the information you need
Results and Conclusions | Describe the results of your investigation and (hopefully!) prove your hypothesis
Effects of angle errors | Describe what happens when the input force and/or the output force are not directed perpendicular to the appropriate lever arm.