Curated OER
The Gear Game
Students 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 simple...
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Move It!
Third graders examine simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, 3rd graders observe simple machines at work in a video, then experiment with creating their own simple machines to move objects.
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Who's the Frog Jumping Champion?
Students use a simple machine (a lever) to launch a plastic frog. students determine who is able to make their frog "jump" the farthest and graph the results.
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Experiments with Levers
Students investigate levers. In this simple machine lesson, students study levers and the mechanical advantage of using levers. They will collect data and illustrate their systems for eight different tests.
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Power: Work and Energy
Students explore how work and energy create power. They complete activities involving simple machines, energy, energy conversion, and the role of conductors and insulators. They choose from a menu of options the activities they would...
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Machinery In Society
Students explore technology by completing a worksheet in class. In this common machinery lesson, students define the different designs that make simple machines work such as wheels, pulleys and gears. Students utilize verbs to describe...
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Can You Bear It? Pulleys, Gears, Forces, Structures and Mechanisms
Students review the types of simple machines. As a class, they focus on the positives and negatives of pulleys and gears and identify what pulleys and gears change of an object. They work together to design their own object to support a...
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Interactivate: Introduction to Functions
This interactive website provides a variety of lesson plans according to which standards you are applying and which textbook you use. Introduce functions to your class by having them construct single operation machines and create...
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It's So Simple
Students use basic materials to create four simple machines. In this introduction to simple machines lesson, students are given four different scenarios that require a simple machine in order to solve. The students use devices such as a...
Teach Engineering
Design and Build a Rube Goldberg
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...
Curated OER
Creating a Simple Telegraph Machine
Students experiment and discuss circuits and how they work. For this science lesson, students construct a telegraph machine using cardboard, wires, battery, electric tape and masking tape. They investigate what happens as the circuits...
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Code Crackers Math Game
Middle schoolers, through this math game, are provided with opportunities to work with math operations and simple algebraic equations. They create a spreadsheet-based "rule machine."
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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.
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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...
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Simply Unique
Learners identify, compare and contrast simple machines and their functions. They work together in groups to complete experiments using the simple machines. They write in their journals to reflect on the lesson.
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Smoses Toy Expo
Students research one of the simple machines listed in the instructional activity and review several simple machine websites to complete their research. Students use software and a watch a video to learn more about machines. Students...
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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...
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Physics at the Art Museum: Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy, and Work
Connect science, math, and art for a true interdisciplinary lesson! Learners explore simple machines in art. Through analysis with a physics app, they identify positions of kinetic and potential energy and make conclusions about work.
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Mental Math
Students participate in an online computation game. In this computation lesson, students practice simple computations and use an internet site to review addition and subtraction facts.
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Monkeying Around
Third graders study machines. They watch a video about and identify and chart machines they find at home and at school. They design and build simple and compound machines, create an advertisement for them and attempt to sell them at the...
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The Anti-Gravity Machine
Students examine physics by completing a bicycle experiment in class. In this gravity lesson, students measure the characteristics of different bicycles and compare their different race times. Students utilize a shoebox, pencil, tape,...
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Simple Machines, Odd Machine
Students construct a device to 'launch' a marshmallow at the teacher and then discuss various forms of levers. They work in teams to design catapults and identify different kinds of levers.
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What's My Rule? Simple Linear Functions
Students investigate simple linear functions by trying to guess a function rule from inputs and outputs. They write the function rule in algebraic form.
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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.