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Lesson 5 of 8
Lesson 5 of 8
New
New
Selecting an axle for a windmill
I can make, test and choose an axle for my windmill.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Pre-cut wooden dowel makes an effective axle.
- The dowel axle will need to spin freely and not be fixed.
- Attaching sails to the axle may need different joining techniques.
Keywords
Axle - a rod that holds the sail in place and allows it to turn
Model - making an example of something to test or to learn new skills
Test - trying something to see if it works and to make changes or improvements to it
Rotary motion - something that turns around in circles
Common misconception
An axle needs to be fixed.
An axle needs to be free moving, able to turn. The sails turn on the axle.
Please have the wooden dowels pre-cut.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Cut out sail, scissors, pencil, sticky tack, thick straw, pre-cut wooden dowel, split pins, worksheet.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
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4 Questions
Q1.Which of these are names of materials?
Which of these are names of materials?
book
bike
Q2.What are properties of materials?
What are properties of materials?
the colour of a material
the shape of an object
Q3.Which of these pieces of card is the thinnest?
Which of these pieces of card is the thinnest?
B
Q4.Match these opposite pairs.
Match these opposite pairs.
soft
smooth
dull
Assessment exit quiz
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4 Questions
Q1.What is an axle?
What is an axle?
a tool used for cutting materials
a decoration on a windmill
Q2.What is a test in design and making?
What is a test in design and making?
drawing a final version without changes
finishing a project without checking it works
Q3.What could you put at the end of a wooden dowel or straw axle to hold the sail on?
What could you put at the end of a wooden dowel or straw axle to hold the sail on?
sand
water
Q4.If the hole for the axle is too tight and the axle is not turning, how could you make the hole bigger?
If the hole for the axle is too tight and the axle is not turning, how could you make the hole bigger?
push the axle harder until it forces its way through
wrap the axle in tape to make it thicker
leave it as it is and hope it starts turning