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...
Teach Engineering
A Simple Solution for the Circus
Class members are challenged to design a device that will move a circus elephant into a train car. Groups brainstorm ideas that use simple machines to load the elephant. They then choose one of their ideas, sketch a plan, and present it...
Chicago Children's Museum
Simple Machines: Force and Motion
Get things moving with this elementary science unit on simple machines. Through a series of nine lessons including teacher demonstrations, hands-on activities, and science experiments, young scientists learn about forces, motion,...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students explore the concepts of force and effort by observing simple machines. In this physics lesson, students attempt to sharpen a pencil without any help, bite into an orange with their lips curled over their teeth, and other...
Curated OER
Sunken Millions Simple Machines
This PowerPoint includes a quiz show game in which two teams compete for points received by answering questions about simple machines. The content reviewed includes the types of simple machines, identifying examples of simple machines...
Curated OER
Brown Paper Bag Simple Machine
Students explore simple machines. In this simple machines science lesson, students work with a partner to identify what kind of simple machine is represented by a variety of household objects placed in paper bags. Students...
Curated OER
Simple Machines Chart
In this simple machines chart, students are given six simple machines, a description of what each is, the benefits of each type of machine and examples.
Purdue University
Simple Machines – Dog Gone It!
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...
Curated OER
You are Uniquely You
Young scholars compare and contrast simple machines and their functions. In this cross-curriculum science simple machines lesson, students observe examples and read about simple machines, then use body movement to demonstrate how...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Learners investigate simple machines. In this simple machines lesson plan, students explore how tools increase productivity and make life easier. Learners experiment with simple tools and discover the parts of each tool.
Chandler Unified School District
Art Masterpiece—Leonardo da Vinci Inventions
After getting to know the inventor, Leonardo da Vinci and his many inventions, scholars think up their own invention. Following a written description and a hand-drawn picture, learners use a method of mirror writing and antiquing to give...
Curated OER
Let's Move It!
Students create a simple machine that includes a cart and lever system that could have been used to build the ancient pyramids. In this simple machine lesson, students learn about the wheel and the axle as simple machines that help...
Curated OER
Simple/Complex Machines
Students make a simple machine. In this physics lesson plan, students learn about six types of simple machines and the purpose of each and brainstorm examples of simple and complex machines in the classroom. Students create a simple...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students investigate and explain simple machines and their uses. Key concepts include: lever, screw, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, and wedge.
Curated OER
Simple Machines
In this simple machine learning exercise, students review the definitions of different simple machines including levers, wheels, and inclined planes. Students match the 7 words to their definitions and then place the words in to a word...
Curated OER
Understanding Simple Machines
In this simple machines learning exercise, 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 Challenge
In this simple machines facts learning exercise, students respond to 6 multiple choice questions that require them to exhibit what they know about simple machines.
Curated OER
Simple Machines Alphabet Activity
In this simple machines learning exercise, students put the names of simple machines in alphabetical order. Students put 6 names of simple machines in alphabetical order.
Curated OER
Simple Machines Word Search
In this simple machines activity, students analyze 10 words in a word bank that pertain to simple machines. Students find these words in a word search puzzle.
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Eighth graders work together in groups to introduce themselves to the six types of simple machines. They are to record what the machine does, its mechanical advantage and identify real world situations in which they are used. They...
Curated OER
Wheels, Gears, and Compound Machines
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.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Technology (2A) Lab
Second graders experiment with simple machines. In this machine lesson, 2nd graders go to different labs to see examples of a lever, inclined plane, wedge, pulley, gears, and wheel and axle. They discuss how a machine makes work a lot...
Mr. E. Science
Work and Machines
What would you be if you were attached to another object by an inclined plane wrapped helically around an axis? In this fourth presentation that covers work and simple machines, young physicists look at Newtons and Joules as...
Curated OER
Bicycle Wheel Gyro
Using a bicycle wheel and a rotating stool, young physicists experiment with angular momentum. This is a simple, fun, and educational activity that demonstrates a foundational concept. If you can secure the materials, it is definitely...