Middle school scientists construct a working water wheel from an aluminum pie pan. Because of the sharp edges on the cut aluminum, this activity is for mature learners only. You could have your class compete to see whose wheel can lift...

Which pulley system will give us a whale of a good time? Teams compare the theoretical and actual mechanical advantages of different pulley systems. They then form a recommendation for how to move a whale from an aquarium back to the ocean.

In this forces activity, students use the mechanical advantage equation to solve for input distance or output distance. The activity has 17 problems to solve.

In this equations instructional activity, students practice solving problems using the equation for mechanical advantage. Students complete 2 problems.

In this weathering activity, learners compare the two types of weathering: mechanical and chemical. This activity has 11 matching questions.

In this forces worksheet, students review the equations for work, power, and efficiency and then use these equations to solve 9 word problems.

In this lever worksheet, students determine the ideal mechanical advantage for different classes of levers. This worksheet has 6 problems to solve.

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

In this mechanical advantage worksheet, students use the equation for mechanical advantage to solve for output force or input force. Students complete 3 problems.

Can my windmill pick up a weight? Given the same set of materials, groups design and build the most efficient windmill. On the first day, groups concentrate on getting a windmill to spin, while on the second day, they modify their...

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...

In this simple machines worksheet, students learn about pulleys. They then answer the 11 questions on the page. The answers are on the last page of the packet.

In this wave energy worksheet, students read about the energy created by water movement and how it is utilized to create electrical energy through two ocean wave energy converters. They answer three critical thinking questions about the...

In this doing work instructional activity, students calculate how a ramp can increase the efficiency of the work done by decreasing the force necessary to complete the task. This instructional activity has 9 problems to solve.

In this forces worksheet, students calculate life force, acceleration, and displacement for 8 word problems. Students must label force diagram and a summation force model.

In this online interactive Wright brothers worksheet, students respond to 8 fill in the blank and multiple choice questions regarding the information included in the provided paragraphs.