The Hungry Lighthouse Keeper

A Science and Technology unit based on Ronda and David Armitage's book
"The LighthouseKeeper's Lunch"

Background

The lighthouse keeper and his wife live in a remote coastal area in Australia. Each morning the lighthouse keeper rows to his lighthouse perched on a cliff, two hundred metres away. At lunchtime each day, his wife prepares lunch and sends it across to the lighthouse in a basket connected by a pulley. If possible read "The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch" by Ronda and David Armitage.

One dark stormy night, the pulley system is destroyed leaving the lighthouse keeper without a means of getting his lunch to the lighthouse.

Task

Your task is to investigate, design and create a model of the most efficient way to deliver the lighthouse keeper's lunch. In your investigation, you will need to research the following models.

Which device would be most successful?

Points to Consider

  • The distance between the cottage and the lighthouse.
  • The contents of the lunch basket and its mass
  • Types of materials that can be used for your model
  • The advantages and the disadvantages of the devices
  • Can the device be used in all weather conditions?

What do I do?

  • Make the lighthouse model
  1. Design your model on the model design page. Print it out.
  2. Collect the materials to create your model and store them in your collection box
  3. Construct your model
  • Research the lunch delivery devices
  1. Print out the summary table and use it to record your information
  2. Visit the sites linked below to gather the required information
  3. Analyse the information and make your decision on which device is the most effective.
  • Test your device
  1. Test the most effective device you have discovered in your research.
  2. Record your results. Did the results match your predictions?

Where can I find the information?

How Do I Present My Work?

Present your working model including your chosen device to your class explaining your choice and demonstrating how it would deliver the Lighthouse Keeper's lunch

Stage Two Modules | CAP Modules Index | Syllabus Outcomes