Episode 35 – A Few Screws Loose

First, you will need to download the A Few Screws Loose lab manual.

Let’s take it back a few (hundred) years and consider the technology present. Now, you may be thinking, “Hey, I thought my new phone only came out last month? What do you mean they had technology hundreds of years ago?”. Well, you may not be defining technology correctly.

Technology is defined as the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. When put that way, we can realize how technology has been around for many many years! Humans have used technology our entire existence on Earth, especially when building shelters and hunting and gathering food. This episode will explore some of these early technologies, specifically the Archimedes Screw.

Although some may consider this screw an “ancient invention”, did you know the Archimedes Screw is still used in present day? You can find similar technology used in transporting waste water in water treatment plants or even moving water in an amusement park ride! Where can you see other examples of the Archimedes Screw?

Saskatchewan Curriculum Connections: AW2.1: Investigate properties of air and water (in all three states of matter) within their environment. FM5.2: Investigate characteristics of simple machines, including levers, wheels and axles, pulleys, inclined planes, screws, and wedges, for moving and lifting loads. FD8.3: Investigate and describe physical properties of fluids (liquids and gases), including viscosity and compressibility.