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Lesson Plan
1
1
Teach Engineering

Rube Goldberg and the Meaning of Machines

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
A Rube Goldberg machine does not really look like it would make work easier. Introduce your class to Rube Goldberg with a resource that shows how his inventions make simple tasks harder to complete. 
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Activity
Cherokee County Schools

Simple Machines Project

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
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...
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Handout
1
1
Curated OER

Simple Machines Worksheet

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
Simplify students' lives with this physical science note-taking guide. From inclined planes to moveable pulleys, this resource supports young scientists with defining each type of simple machine while identifying their mechanical...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designing Machines

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students explore simple and compound machines. In groups of four students, they design a compound machine using K'NEX that has a stated purpose and consists of at least two simple machines.
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Teach Engineering

Not So Simple

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Compound machines, nothing more than a combination of simple machines working together, are the focus of an activity that asks class members to use the provided information to take a look at the way innovators combine simple machines to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wheels, Gears, and Compound Machines

For Teachers 5th
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.
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Unit Plan
Rube Goldberg

Rube Goldberg Machines

For Students 7th - 12th
Use humor to study simple machines! An engaging set of nine lessons allows learners to explore simple machines, kinetic, and potential energy as they work through cartoon renditions inspired by Rube Goldberg. Choose one or multiple...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Purdue University

Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd Standards
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...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Purdue University

Simple Machines – Dog Gone It!

For Teachers 3rd Standards
How can people use simple machines to solve real-world STEM problems? Learn about simple machines using a hands-on, project-based learning activity. First, pupils investigate and evaluate simple machines. Then, they receive a task that...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students investigate what simple machines are and how they work. For this simple machine lesson, the students create simple and compound machines and test each machine's ability to perform a task. Students compare simple machines to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Brown Paper Bag Simple Machine

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore simple machines.  In this simple machines science instructional activity, students work with a partner to identify what kind of simple machine is represented by a variety of household objects placed in paper bags. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Las Maquinas y Nosotros: Machines and Us

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explain the relationship between energy and work. In this technology instructional activity, 2nd graders describe the different uses of machines in their everyday lives. They record observations and data in their science...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines, Odd Machines

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore simple machines. In this physical science instructional activity, students identify six simple machines, illustrate each and identify how these machines function or can be combined to create a compound machine.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ins and Outs of Simple Machines

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars explore the ins and outs of simple machines. They discover the various roles of simple machines, who uses them, where they can be found and how they actually work. Students create a compound machine using simple machines.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mechanical Advantage and Simple Machines

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate simple machines. They calculate the work done by simple machines and compare the force or direction of force applied. They calculate mechanical advantage and efficiency of simple machines and identify...
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Lesson Plan
2
2
Teach Engineering

Just Plane Simple

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
It is plane to see that simple machines help reduce the force needed to perform a task.  This resource introduces three of the simple machines--the inclined plane, the wedge, and the screw, and  the formulas in order to be able to...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

What is a Compound Machine?

For Students 2nd - 4th
In this compound machine activity, learners review what simple machines are put together to make compound machines. This activity has 5 fill in the blank and 2 short answer questions.
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Organizer
Curated OER

Simple Machines Worksheet

For Students 2nd - 3rd
In this simple machines worksheet, students complete a chart. They look at a picture of a simple machine, draw/paste an example of each one for homework. They use a web quest to find 2 more facts about each one and write it in the chart....
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Activity
2
2
Teach Engineering

The Magician's Catapult

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
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.
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Activity
1
1
Teach Engineering

Design and Build a Rube Goldberg

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Let's see how complicated we can make this simple task. The last activity associated with a 10-part series has groups design and build a Rube Goldberg machine. Teams determine a simple task to accomplish and use the engineering design...
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Lesson Plan
Agriculture in the Classroom

Six Kinds Do It All

For Teachers 2nd - 6th Standards
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines, Engines and the Environment

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders calculate the mechanical advantage of an inclined plane. In this physics lesson, 4th graders identify the different types of simple machines and their uses. They give examples of compound machines.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Machines at Work

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discuss how simple machines have made our lives easier and construct a compound machine. In this machines lesson plan, students watch a video on machines, look at websites, and follow task cards in order to make a simple machine.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching About Simple Machines

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students identify six different simple machines. They investigate the difference between the ideal and actual mechanical advantage. Students calculate the actual mechanical advantage for several simple machines.

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