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
TE Activity: Choosing a Pyramid Site
Students determine how engineers decide on choices for final designs and sites for construction. They look at a surveyor's report while they evaluate sites where a pyramid could be build. They consider the distance the pyramid would be...
Curated OER
Optical Illusion Machine
Students explore optical illusions. Using Legos, they construct and motorize a machine that has an axle that's geared up and geared down, complete a worksheet, and answer discussion questions.
Curated OER
Match the Machine
Students identify simple machines found in different environments. In this matching activity, students match the machine with the place it belongs.
Curated OER
Snow Day
Eighth graders work in small groups to design and build a snow remover while looking at a snow design brief. They combine 2 or more simple machines to form a compound machine following the design brief in order to meet the required...
Curated OER
TE Activity: Pulley'ing Your Own Weight
Students experiment with common objects such as spools, string and soap to determine how pulleys make it easier to move large objects. They look at the difference between fixed and movable pulleys. They examine the many uses engineers...
Curated OER
Inverse (Indirect) Machines
Students observe relationships between quantities. Students complete activities for three different classes of levers. In groups, students build each type of lever. Students identify levers in their daily surroundings. Students observe...
Curated OER
Let's Move It!
Students create a simple machine that includes a cart and lever system that could have been used to build the ancient pyramids. In this simple machine lesson, students learn about the wheel and the axle as simple machines that help...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Build Your Own Robot Arm
Engineers team up to design and construct an 18-inch-long robotic arm that can successfully pick up a paper cup. Each group is given the exact same set of materials, but it is up to them to decide what to use and how to use it. It is a...
Curated OER
Indianapolis 500 Unit-Science
Fourth graders access prior knowledge of simple machines to build a car. In this car design instructional activity, 4th graders create and race their cars. Students evaluate what was good and bad about their designs. Each car will...
Curated OER
Junkyard Wars: Air Movers
Students study Rube Goldberg machines. In this investigative lesson students design and build a machine that uses several steps to move an aluminum can.
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.
University of Florida
Clothing Capers: Creativity
No matter the age of your sewing pupils, they will enjoy these activities and projects that develop basic sewing machine use, following patterns, and finally creating a fun project of their own.
Curated OER
Build Your Own Hovercraft
Learners construct a hovercraft following specific procedures. In this technology lesson, students explain the physics principles behind hovercraft. They compare and contrast this machine with the aircraft.
Curated OER
Air Movers
Students learn about Rube Goldberg machines (complicated devices designed to accomplish simple tasks and then design and build a machine that uses more than six separate steps to move an empty aluminum can. They can either work...
Curated OER
Alexander Calder: Master of Balance
Students build simple mobiles. In this equilibrium lesson, students investigate the functions of three types of levers as they analyze artwork by Alexander Calder. Students then create their own simplified mobiles.
Curated OER
Measuring Work
Students explore what work is, measure work done in moving an object, and tell how energy is related to work in both machines and the human body. For this measuring work lesson plan, students walk up a flight of stairs, measure the...
Curated OER
Supersonic Spies
Students analyze a simple machine and use "reverse engineering" to create an exact replica. They interpret incomplete information to build a simple wheel-and-axle machine. Students discuss how building a machine activity correlates to...
Curated OER
Building the Pyramids: No Light Task
Eighth graders perform experiments with simple machines and write up the results. They research the construction of the step pyramid and the three pyramids at Giza. Students research how the ancient Egyptians used simple machines in...
Curated OER
The Hand Drill: An Example of a Screw
Students examine how a screw works as an inclined plane and a hand drill works as a screw. In this physics instructional activity, students complete two hands-on activities working with simple machines including screws and hand drills....
Curated OER
Exploring Basic Physical Science Concepts
Students use the concepts of simple machines to construct a mobile. The inquiry is made in groups and presentations are made by constructing reports. The assessment is based upon the final product of the mobile and how students use...
Curated OER
Rain Machine (Solar Still)
Students experiment with a solar still. In this distillation lesson plan, students find a simple way to use evaporation to make salty water drinkable.
Curated OER
20 Questions: Can You Stump the Machine?
Students use technology to help them think critically. They collect data related to the tool, which asks 20 questions. They discuss how the technology in the machine makes it work.
Curated OER
Roll with the Punches: Depression Era Machinery
Students construct models of simple and complicated machines with Legos. Then they design an experiment using the scientific method. ESE modifications included.