Curated OER
How Does the Elbow Work: A lesson in Levers
Students examine levers that exist in the human body. In this body function lesson students complete a lab activity that models how the elbow is a third class lever.
Curated OER
Levers: Catapults
Students construct a catapult that shoots a cotton ball at least two meters using Legos, rubber bands, and plastic spoons. They discuss how the catapult works, and identify any problems they had with their experiment.
Curated OER
Using Fulcrums
Students engage in a lesson that concentrates on the use of a lever and fulcrum. They define how a lever is used to lift a load. The lesson has background information to justify it. Students demonstrate how to use the lever while lifting...
Curated OER
Reading Comprehension 8
Help your class prepare for the upcoming state testing with this resource. A short text is accompanied by five multiple-choice questions. An answer key provides detailed answers, even describing where one could find the answers in the...
Curated OER
Simply Machines
In this machines activity, students draw a "Rube Goldberg" style machine which uses 3 different types of simple machines to complete one task.
Curated OER
Smoses Toy Expo
Students research one of the simple machines listed in the lesson and review several simple machine websites to complete their research. Students use software and a watch a video to learn more about machines. Students create a poster...
Curated OER
Secrets of Lost Empires II-Pharaoh's Obelisk
Young scholars identify and analyze how levers work by raising a brick with a shish kebab skewer. Students present their work, explaining what did and did not work, including illustrations of the lever lift from different angles. Young...
Cornell University
Catapults
Ready, aim, fire! Launch to a new level of understanding as scholars build and test their own catapults. Learners explore lever design and how adjusting the fulcrum changes the outcome.
Teach Engineering
The Magician's Catapult
Class members work in pairs to build a catapult to launch a grape a given distance. The catapult project, a compound machine, reinforces pupils' understanding of simple machines.
Broward County Public Schools
Force and Motion
Get the ball rolling with this upper-elementary science unit on forces and motion. Offering over three weeks of physical science lessons, this resource is a great way to engage the class in learning about simple machines, friction, the...
CK-12 Foundation
Expected Value: Game of Chance
Determine whether the payoff is worth it. Pupils calculate the expected value of a game with three different payoff levels. Each level has a different probability of winning money. The scholars find the expected payoffs for each level...
Curated OER
Lifting a Load
Students experiments with levers to determine if the amount of force needed to lift a load is always the same. For this physics lesson, students use Lab-Pro data collector as they experiment with the fulcrum placement to measure the work...
Cherokee County Schools
Simple Machines Project
The choice is simple: create a PowerPoint presentation, write a book, or invent a compound machine. Whichever project your young scientists choose, they will be engaged in creatively demonstrating their knowledge of simple machines and...
Purdue University
Simple Machines
What's the best way to use a simple machine to solve a real-world problem? Scholars construct their own simple and complex machines to explore the concepts of work and force. They discuss examples of simple machines they have found in...
Curated OER
Levers
Students compare and contrast the three different types of levers. In this physics lesson plan, students hypothesize how ancient Egyptians use them to build structures. They construct their own lever after teacher approves their design.
Curated OER
Three Classes of Levers
Eighth graders research the three classes of levers and create a Power Point presentation showcasing the fulcrum, effort arm, and resistance arm in each class. They then write a paper explaining real life applications of the levers.
Curated OER
Exploring Levers
Students examine the parts of a lever system and their functions. For this simple machines lesson students study the different classes of levers and what they are used for.
Curated OER
Levers - An Interactive Lesson
Seventh graders identify the different parts of a lever. In this physics lesson, 7th graders draw a lever and label the different parts. They use the interactive board to create their own lever.
Curated OER
Inventor's Workshop
Students explore the six simple machines that are the basis for all mechanical devices. In this physics lesson, students choose one simple machine to research and then find a complex machine it is apart of. Students examine Leonardo...
Curated OER
Fulcrums in Our Body
Second graders discuss fulcrums and levers and identify at least two fulcrums and levers on their bodies. They also identify fulcrums and levers on animal bodies.
Curated OER
Who's the Frog Jumping Champion?
Students use a simple machine (a lever) to launch a plastic frog. students determine who is able to make their frog "jump" the farthest and graph the results.
Curated OER
The Lever Family
In this lever learning exercise, students determine the ideal mechanical advantage for different classes of levers. This learning exercise has 6 problems to solve.
Curated OER
Catapults
Students discover the catapult. For this catapult lesson, students research the history of the catapult and how it works. They work in groups to build their own catapult using tootpicks, popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and spoons.
Curated OER
You are Uniquely You
Students compare and contrast simple machines and their functions. In this cross-curriculum science simple machines lesson, students observe examples and read about simple machines, then use body movement to demonstrate how machines...