Hero’s Laboratory

Hero of Alexandria (sometimes called ‘Heron’) was one of the great inventors of the ancient world, living in the bustling city of Alexandria, Egypt during the first century A.D.  He filled his workshop with machines that could move, sing, open doors, perform plays, and even dispense products automatically.  Many of his creations seem almost magical at first glance, yet they were powered by careful engineering and a deep understanding of how forces such as wind, water, and steam can be used to accomplish work.  In this unit, students step into Hero’s workshop and explore the fascinating world of ancient machines.

In this unit, students will investigate how moving air and flowing water can power mechanical devices, just as Hero did nearly two thousand years ago.  Along the way, they will encounter examples of ancient automata—self-moving machines that amazed crowds and demonstrated the power of clever design.

Using the scientific method learned during the Archimedes unit—Ask, Guess, Test, Learn—students will design wind-powered and water-powered devices capable of lifting loads.  Through experimentation and redesign, they will discover the strengths and limitations of different energy sources while gaining experience with engineering challenges.