Curated OER
Pulleys
Students determine how to tell the difference between a simple system and a complex pulley system. Using pulleys, students build simple pulley systems to demonstrate the mechanical advantages of pulleys.
Curated OER
Powerful Pulleys
Students explore the building of a pyramid and how pulleys were used to change the direction of applied force. They demonstrate the mechanical advantage of using a pulley and apply it to modern engineering.
Curated OER
Idler Pulley Lesson
Students interpret drawings and reproduce them in a CAD format. In this design instructional activity students complete an assembly drawing of a pulley system.
Teach Engineering
Levers that Lift
Introduce your class to to the remaining three simple machines-- the lever, pulley, and the wheel-and-axle with a plan that includes the three different types of levers in the discussion of levers. The lesson continues with the...
Colorado Unit Writing Project
Simple Machines
Planning an elementary science unit has never been simpler! These twelve lessons guide young scientists through an exploration of simple machines and their many uses in the real world before asking them to apply their learning in the...
Curated OER
Simple/Complex Machines
Learners make a simple machine. In this physics instructional activity, students learn about six types of simple machines and the purpose of each and brainstorm examples of simple and complex machines in the classroom. Learners create a...
Curated OER
Investigating Pulleys
Learners investigate pulleys and see how they have a mechanical advantage in lifting heavy loads. In this pulley lesson students make a hypothesis, complete and experiment then complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
Farming in the 1930's
Students research and conduct experiments with several types of simple machines. They examine levers, pulleys, inclined planes, wheels, axles, wedges and screws and then consider the physics behind "Green Eggs and Ham".
Agriculture in the Classroom
Six Kinds Do It All
Teach young engineers that all machines, no matter how complicated or complex, are made up of just six simple devices with this hands-on physical science lesson. Using the included templates, students first create paper models of...
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
Understanding Simple Machines
In this simple machines worksheet, students read about various types of simple machines. They then use what they learned to answer 17 questions. The answers are on the last page.
Curated OER
Simple Machines in the Home
Students explore simple machines used in the home. In this simple machines lesson plan, students discover that many household items are constructed from simple machines. Students interact with nutcrackers, peelers, egg slicers, and egg...
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
Simple Machines and Modern Day Engineering Analogies
Students apply the mechanical advantages and problem-solving capabilities of six types of simple machines (wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, pulley) as they discuss modern structures in the spirit of the engineers and...
Curated OER
Changes in Force, Motion, and Energy
Eighth graders construct various machines and compare the work done by them.
Curated OER
The Electromagnetic Crane
Students explore electromagnetism, simple machines and the design process. They use the concepts of electromagnetism to design and build a device that uses an electromagnet, a pulley and a lever using the provided Engineering Design...
Curated OER
Simple Machine Test
Students complete several worksheets about machines. In this machine lesson students complete several handouts that describe the different machines and how pulleys work.
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.
Curated OER
Simple Machines
In this simple machines worksheet, students read about different simple machines and then complete word problems about a ramp and a lever. Students complete 2 word problems.
Curated OER
Exploring Simple Machines
Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, students study how simple machines work. Students determine the function of various simple machines.
Curated OER
Household Tools
Students explore parts of a system. In this simple machines lesson, students discover that simple machines are composed of two or more systems. Students examine household tools and assess the parts of the system.
Curated OER
Exploring the Properties of Matter in the Preschool
Students study the properties of the physical and natural world. In this properties of the physical and natural world lesson plan, preschool students work at discovery tables to see how simple machines work, what happens when items are...
Curated OER
Tools Make A Difference
Learners compare and contrast older and newer types and designs of tools, and examine how the change in tools affected life along the river in the book, "A River Ran Wild." They classify the tools for cooking, hunting, farming, and...