Curated OER
Packaging and Transport
Learners examine the methods by which food is packaged and transported to their dinner tables. In this packaging and transporting lesson plan, students explore how machines help people grow food. Learners also obtain knowledge about how...
Curated OER
Levers and Wedges in the Human Body
Young scholars identify the various parts of the body that serve as wedges and levers, identifying the fulcrum for each body lever. They bite into carrots and apples to analyze how their jaws and teeth work, then complete three...
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Farming 1: Farm Machines
Students examine how machines help people grow food. They study specialized types of farm machines and the tasks they perform. They complete handouts matching images of the machines with text.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Amazing Birds
What's so amazing about birds? Find out just how amazing birds are with a physics of animal behavior unit created by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Have learners explore and tap into their observational skills and notice how birds fly, what...
Curated OER
Simple Machines Crossword
In this machine worksheet, students use a set of 14 clues to complete a crossword puzzle about simple machines. Worksheet contains a link to additional activities.
Curated OER
How Do Simple Machines Work?
In this simple machines worksheet, students brainstorm problems that can be solved by the work of simple machines. This worksheet is a graphic organizer.
Curated OER
Systems, UP, Up and Away!
Students discuss rockets and how they work. Students research basic information about the Space Shuttle. Students work in collaborative groups creating "rockets" with empty film canisters. Students launch their "rockets" and record...
Student Handouts
Graphic Organizer: Reference Citations
Pupils practice researching sources and logging citation information with this graphic organizer. After posing a general topic, groups of students are asked to devise general questions about that topic, and to research sources...
Curated OER
Wheels and Axles 1
Students investigate how and why wheels are used in different types of machines. They work in teams trying to move a heavy box with and without dowels and discuss which way is easier to move the box. Next, they conduct an experiment...
Curated OER
Fulcrums in Our Body
Second graders discuss fulcrums and levers and identify at least two fulcrums and levers on their bodies. They also identify fulcrums and levers on animal bodies.
Curated OER
Catapult Unit
Students understand the need for carefully defining the problem before searching for a solution. They understand the need for carefully defining the problem before searching for a solution. Students compare a variety of catapults and the...
Curated OER
Machine Poetry
Fourth graders write poems describing the relationship of machine parts. In this poetry writing lesson, 4th graders review a system and examples. Students discuss the systems individual parts and how they work. Students use the given...
Curated OER
Make Work Easier!
Pupils work in pairs to design a lever. They conduct experiments using a penny and nickel to explore the uses of a lever.
Curated OER
IPC Physics Vocabulary Review
In this physics review worksheet, learners review vocabulary words associated with speed, acceleration, Newton's Laws and simple machines, work and energy, magnetism, electricity, and harmonic motion and light. This worksheet has 92...
Curated OER
Tools and Machines for Work: Saving your Energy
Students consider how tools and machines can make work easier. They examine specific tools for making work easier.
Curated OER
What Can We Lose? What Do We Lose as we Gain Force With A Lever?
Third graders view a demonstration of a teeter totter as a basis for assessing pre-knowledge of a lever. They create a KwL chart. Students work in small groups to conduct a variety of experiments. The first requires students to tie books...
Curated OER
Can You Find the Difference?
Students create their own balance to determine a difference in the weight (and composition) of cents made in different years.
Curated OER
TE Activity: Choosing a Pyramid Site
Students determine how engineers decide on choices for final designs and sites for construction. They look at a surveyor's report while they evaluate sites where a pyramid could be build. They consider the distance the pyramid would be...
Curated OER
Simple Machine Test
Young scholars complete several worksheets about machines. In this machine activity students complete several handouts that describe the different machines and how pulleys work.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
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.
Cornell University
Catapults
Ready, aim, fire! Launch to a new level of understanding as scholars build and test their own catapults. Learners explore lever design and how adjusting the fulcrum changes the outcome.
Inside Mathematics
Quadratic (2009)
Functions require an input in order to get an output, which explains why the answer always has at least two parts. After only three multi-part questions, the teacher can analyze pupils' strengths and weaknesses when it comes to...