Young biologists identify parts of the body that serve as wedges (teeth and fingernails), and as levers (jaw, arms, and legs). The hands-on activities described here should be exciting for learners to perform, and should also lead to a...

Young scholars identify the various parts of the body that serve as wedges and levers, identifying the fulcrum for each body lever. They bite into carrots and apples to analyze how their jaws and teeth work, then complete three...

Seventeen pages of material leave you well-prepared to carry out this lesson on levers and pulleys. Photos and diagrams make the instructions clear; resource links provide additional information. The missing aspects of this teacher's...

Students build models of types of levers. In this simple machines lesson, students use dowels and modified wooden rulers to build different types of levers. They compete to create the most efficient lever in the class.

Pupils investigate lever systems in the human body and compare arm anatomy to model.  In this human levers lesson plan students graph and analyze their results.

For this levers worksheet, students compare the three classes of levers. Students determine how the location of the fulcrum effects the amount of force needed. Then students complete 20 fill in the blank questions and 6 word problems.

Reach out and grab something. Given the task of picking up objects at least two feet away, pupils design and build a grabber. The last activity in a series of five challenges requires learners to use information about fulcrums and levers.

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.

Young scholars compare and contrast simple machines and their functions. For this cross-curriculum science simple machines lesson, students observe examples and read about simple machines, then use body movement to demonstrate how...

Students investigate the lever and the mathematics associated with levers. They determine the conditions necessary to balance a system of forces around a fulcrum.

In this levers worksheet, students review how to calculate mechanical advantages using forces and using distance. Kids explore the three types of levers. Then students complete 20 fill in the blank questions and 6 problems to solve.

Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines activity, students explore how tools increase productivity and make life easier. Students experiment with simple tools and discover the parts of each tool.

Students explore tools. In this tool lesson, students see how tools and machines were invented to help people work easier. They see different types of simple machines such as wheel and axle, lever, and wedge. 

Students examine how muscles can work together with joints.  In this movement lesson students use a marionette to observe how muscles work. 

Learners discover many facts about horseshoe crabs. Students identify the main body parts of horseshoe crab. They explore the habits of the horseshoe crab and their importances to the ecosystem. Adaptations for younger learners are...

Students, in teams, follow the process of design, including the stages of investigation, creation, and reflection, as they devise a way to help "save" a (simulated) pet who is trapped in a pipe.

Young scholars explore the drawings of Rube Goldberg to design and construct a simple machine. They discuss simple machines, and using various materials and toy parts, design and construct a "Rube Goldberg" style machine to ring a bell.

This is a nicely designed jeopardy game with the categories animals, space, rocks, simple machines, and weather available for 5 values. There are some non-essential sound effects included.  The links work and you can return to the...

Students design device that will place a cup into a cupboard for a physically challenged person. They study the engineering design and how structure relates to function.

Young scholars investigate what simple machines are and how they work. In this simple machine lesson plan, the students create simple and compound machines and test each machine's ability to perform a task. Young scholars compare simple...

Students design and build a working catapult or trebuchet to explore the concepts of force, motion, and distance.

Students use common materials to build a car. In this car building mechanical engineering instructional activity, students build a car using a milk cartoon and plastic wheels. They discuss what mechanical engineers do and what makes a...

In this online interactive philosophy instructional activity, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Galileo's contributions to science. 

Students study patterns, lines, shapes, and colors in both flowers and butterfly wings. They create their own flower and butterfly drawings and/or models to reinforce the concept.