Curated OER
Junior Solar Sprint Series: Gears and Drive Belts
Activate middle schoolers' minds with this physical science activity. Learners vary the diameter of gears and the number of teeth on them to find how energy output is affected. This writeup features well-developed background information...
Curated OER
The Gear Game
High schoolers discuss that the conservatin of energy states that the energy imput must equal the energy output. They then figure out how can a machine help you to perform task otherwise considered impossible? Students discuss the six...
Curated OER
Goldberg's Gears
Students engage in a instructional activity that is concerned with the design principles employed by the engineer Reuben Goldberg. They read a biographical sketch of the artist and then create the context for studying how machines work....
Curated OER
Mountain Biking - Riding Uphill
Mountain biking sounds like a lot of fun, but it also sounds like a lot of hard work! You have to get uphill to enjoy the ride downhill. Learn about shifting gears to go uphill and to keep your weight balanced properly. This is one...
Curated OER
Wind Turbine Kit
In this physics worksheet, learners set up a wind turbine kit to identify what happens when it is assembled. They describe how energy is transferred within the circuit created and how many blades give the highest voltage.
Curated OER
The Mag Mile and ... Torque!
Students use paper plates and detailed directions to build a model of the Michigan Avenue Bridge's gear system. By carefully measuring and cutting "teeth" for the gears of the "Gear Train," they create small gear that will intersect the...
Curated OER
Simple Machines V - Wheels and Axles and Gears
Fourth graders investigate the principles and uses of gears, and examine how gears can be used to alter the direction of motion or the speed of an object. They observe two cars with different sized wheels roll down an inclined plane,...
Curated OER
Pulleys and Gears
Students analyze an engineering problem. They contrast paper and pencil mastery of concepts with hands-on mastery. They present their design and rationale behind it, whether it works or not.
Curated OER
Gears 1
In this gears worksheet, students put together and label gears and see how many turns it takes to go in a given directions. Students then fill in a chart with their results.
Curated OER
Gears 2
For this gears worksheet, students use a ruler and gears to conduct an experiment. Students follow 11 sets of directions,write a conclusion, and graph their results.
Curated OER
Gears 3
In this gears learning exercise, learners read about putting together different gears and answer short answer questions about it. Students also put together gears and read a story.
Curated OER
Gearing Up--Learning About Gears
In this learning about gears learning exercise, 5th graders read and discuss a 1 page article on gears, fill in 7 blanks to complete 5 facts about gears and make a set of gears from a template provided in the learning exercise.
Curated OER
Wheels, Gears, and Compound Machines
Fifth graders read selected pages from their science text and explain forces affected by wheels and axles. They read and discover that gears transfer forces and that gear combinations relate to compound machines.
Curated OER
The Physics of Tools
Middle schoolers investigate the nature and work of simple tools and mechanics.
They explain how each simple machine can be used in real world applications. They explore levers, balance beams, windlasses, wedges, gears, ocarinas,...
Curated OER
LEGO Construction Basics-Axles and Wheels
Students examine axles and wheels using LEGO materials. They investigate the uses of axles, gears, and wheels.
Curated OER
Exploring Gear Trains
Young scholars work together to build a simple gear train. They record their observations as it gains speed and how the gears rotate. They develop rules about gears based on these observations.
Curated OER
Music Box
Students work together to build a music box. They create figures that move when a song plays. They answer discussion questions to complete the lesson.
Curated OER
Peak Performance
Students design and build a car that is capable of traveling across the floor quickly, and also up a steep ramp.
Curated OER
Build a Snowplow
Students design and build a snowplow using LEGO materials. They compete in an Engineer's Challenge to clear a path through Styrofoam peanuts.
Curated OER
Egyptians as Engineers
Student design and build Lego vehicles that drag given amount of weight up an incline. They show how this demonstrates Egyptian methods of pyramid construction.