Handout
Scholastic

Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Reporters: Simple Machines: The Wheel and Axle

For Teachers 9th - 10th
An in-depth explanation of the wheel and axle from Scholastic. Also provides several examples and a picture for understanding.
Activity
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Acceleration of a Wheel and Axle

For Students 9th - 10th
A lab investigation of an accelerating object can be difficult without motion sensors or computer photogates. The accelerating object can gain velocity in such a way that it moves a great distance in a short time.
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
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Wheel

For Students 9th - 10th
An encyclopedia article from Wikipedia on the wheel discusses how wheels operate and travel on surfaces, and gives information on the invention and use of the wheel in ancient times. Links are also provided for additional information.
Activity
PBS

The Math of Bicycles: Wheel Figure This Out (Grades 4 7)

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Several good activities here. Look particularly at Wheel Figure It Out (which is the opening page) and Gearing Up. There are answers to the very good questions at the bottom of each.
Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Force and Motion: Simple Machines

For Students 3rd - 5th
A slideshow and a short quiz on simple machines and how they reduce the amount of work or effort needed to complete a task.
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Simple Machines From Pyramids to Skyscrapers

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make work easier, and which people have used to provide mechanical advantage for thousands of years. Students learn about the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane,...
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Simple Machines

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Through a five-lesson series with five hands-on activities, students are introduced to six simple machines - inclined plane, wedge, screw, lever, pulley, wheel-and-axle - as well as compound machines, which are combinations of two or...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Splash, Pop, Fizz: Rube Goldberg Machines

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Refreshed with an understanding of the six simple machines; screw, wedge, pully, incline plane, wheel and axle, and lever, student groups receive materials and an allotted amount of time to act as mechanical engineers to design and...
Handout
Other

University of Arkansas: Simple Machines

For Students 9th - 10th
A thorough discussion of all the simple machines, beginning with some thoughts on mechanical advantage and conservation of energy. Very complete. Move down to the section that interests you.
Unit Plan
University of Houston

University of Houston: Science Lessons: Simple Machines Learning Site

For Students 3rd - 5th
Provides definitions of all 6 simple machines with examples and student drawing of them. Interactive "simple machines quiz" at the end.
Unit Plan
Beacon Learning Center

Beacon Learning Center: How Can We Move Our Principal?

For Students Pre-K - 1st
In this problem solving exercise, students must decide which simple machine would work best in different situations, in order to help the principal manoeuvre himself after he has hurt his leg and can't walk. The site has a good tutorial...
Interactive
Soft Schools

Soft Schools: Simple Machines

For Students 3rd - 5th
Identify the six simple machines by dragging the correct term, and dropping it onto the associated simple machine.
Unit Plan
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Simple Machines: Lesson 2

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson will introduce the six types of simple machines and show how machines can increase efficiency by reducing work input needed. It is 2 of 2 in the series titled "Simple Machines."
PPT
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Simple Machines: Lesson 1

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson will introduce the six types of simple machines and show how machines can increase efficiency by reducing work input needed. It is 1 of 2 in the series titled "Simple Machines."
Handout
Scholastic

Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Reporters: Simple Machines: Pulley

For Teachers 9th - 10th
With-it explanation of how the pulley works, where it's found. Most interesting, as Scholastic material usually is.
Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Plaustrum

For Students 9th - 10th
A cart or wagon. It had commonly two wheels, but sometimes four, and it was then called the plaustrum majus. Besides the wheels and axle the plaustrum consisted of a strong pole (temo), to the hinder part of which was fastened a table of...
Handout
NASA

Nasa: Simple Machine Resource Chart

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site provides a chart that lists the six simple machines, defines them, explains how it helps and gives examples.