Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Simple Machines and Modern Day Engineering Analogies

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Levers That Lift

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This instructional activity introduces students to three of the six simple machines used by many engineers: the lever, the pulley, and the wheel-and-axle. In general, engineers use the lever to magnify the force applied to an object, the...
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Ramp and Piano

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This module has students using a simple machine to learn about the relationship between work, force, and energy.
Unit Plan
Technology Student

Technology Student: Mechanisms

For Students 9th - 10th
This site describes mechanisms and simple machines, and the basic components used to build them.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Machines Can Move

For Teachers 2nd
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about simple machines people use every day. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Machines Can Move!

For Students 2nd
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about simple machines used in daily life such as: a pulley, a screw, an inclined plane, a wheel and axle, a wedge, and a lever. A question sheet is available to help students build...
Lesson Plan
ArtsNow

Arts Now Learning: Dancing Machines [Pdf]

For Teachers 4th
In this lesson, 4th graders explore simple machines through movement and create imaginative new machines through choreographic sequences and collaboration.
Handout
Ohio University

Haptic Augmented Simple Machines: The Lever

For Students 9th - 10th
An explanation of the three types of levers, with examples of each. The formula for the law of equilibrium is also demonstrated.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Balancing the Load: The See Saw as a Simple Machine

For Students 3rd - 5th
Have you ever tried to pull out a nail out of wood with your bare hands? Or have you tried to shove a staple through a stack of papers without a stapler? A hammer's claw, a stapler, a pair of pliers and a shovel are each examples of...
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Rube Goldberg and the Meaning of Machines

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Simple and compound machines are designed to make work easier. When we encounter a machine that does not fit this understanding, the so-called machine seems absurd. For this lesson, the cartoons of Rube Goldberg are introduced and engage...
Graphic
Hunkins Experiments

The Secret Life of Machines

For Students 9th - 10th
An entertaining site that communicates ideas through cartoon drawings. Discover how simple machines and gadgets operate, such as fax machines and washing machines.
Handout
Utah Education Network

Uen: Force, Energy, and Motion: Complex Machines for Simple Tasks!

For Students 3rd - 8th
Designed for Grade Eight, this collection of lessons provides information, examples and quizzes related to simple machines. Elementary students studying this topic will find this site informative as well.
Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Simple Machines: Levers: Lesson 2

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson will introduce the three types of levers and show how to calculate the mechanical advantage of each. It is 2 of 3 in the series titled "Simple Machines: Levers."
Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Simple Machines: Pulley: Lesson 2

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson will explain how to calculate the mechanical advantage of a pulley system. It is 2 of 3 in the series titled "Simple Machines: Pulley."
Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Simple Machines: Pulley: Lesson 3

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson will explain how to calculate the mechanical advantage of a pulley system. It is 3 of 3 in the series titled "Simple Machines: Pulley."
Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Simple Machines: Screw: Lesson 2

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson will explain how to calculate the mechanical advantage of a screw. It is 2 of 2 in the series titled "Simple Machines: Screw."
Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Simple Machines: Screw: Lesson 1

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson will explain how to calculate the mechanical advantage of a screw. It is 1 of 2 in the series titled "Simple Machines: Screw."
Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Simple Machines: Wedge/inclined Plane: Lesson 2

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson will explain how to calculate the mechanical advantage of a wedge and inclined plane. It is 2 of 2 in the series titled "Simple Machines: Wedge/Inclined Plane."
Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Simple Machines: Wedge/inclined Plane: Lesson 1

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson will explain how to calculate the mechanical advantage of a wedge and inclined plane. It is 1 of 2 in the series titled "Simple Machines: Wedge/Inclined Plane."
Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Simple Machines: Wheel and Axel: Lesson 1

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson will explain how to calculate the mechanical advantage of a wheel and axel. It is 1 of 2 in the series titled "Simple Machines: Wheel and Axel."
Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Simple Machines: Wheel and Axel: Lesson 2

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson will explain how to calculate the mechanical advantage of a wheel and axel. It is 2 of 2 in the series titled "Simple Machines: Wheel and Axel."
Handout
Scholastic

Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Reporters: Simple Machines: The Screw

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Scholastic provides an in-depth description here of a simple machine called The Screw. Also provides a picture and several examples for understanding.
Unknown Type
University of Houston

University of Houston: Simple Machines Learning Site

For Students 6th - 8th
This resource provides information about simple machines.
Activity
University of Houston

University of Houston: Simple Machines Learning Site: Wedge

For Students 6th - 8th
Several examples, along with a definition and explanation of the simple machine, the wedge.

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