Curated OER
Who is Rube Goldberg?
Fifth graders practice technology skills while searching online for information about inventor, Rube Goldberg. They discuss Rube Goldberg's use of simple machines, and write journal entries about their findings.
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
Levers: Catapults
Students construct a catapult that shoots a cotton ball at least two meters using Legos, rubber bands, and plastic spoons. They discuss how the catapult works, and identify any problems they had with their experiment.
Curated OER
All Steamed Up
Students examine the energy conversions and simple machines are involved in the operation of a steam engine. They make a replica of a small steam engine.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Simple Machines Internet Research
Young scholars identify six types of simple machines, then use the Internet for research.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Simple Machines Webquest
Middle schoolers explore simple machines through a Webquest with Internet resources provided for research of simple machines. They create a report, with pictures, in Word, and finally, invent their own simple machine for presentation.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Rube Rube
High schoolers examine and discuss simple machines and Rube Goldberg cartoons, listing real-world examples. They design and illustrate a Rube Goldberg device, identify the simple machines involved, and write a paragraph explaining how...
Curated OER
An Invitation to Simple Machines
Third graders explore simple machines as a way of helping the principle with a hurt foot manuever his way around the campus.
Curated OER
My Machine
Third graders explore how simple machines can affect their health and lifestyle. In addition, 3rd graders use their knowledge of simple machines to build a unique machine.
Curated OER
Machines Help
Fourth graders review the six simple machines, and locate simple machines on the school grounds. They chart what machines are found and how they are used to make tasks possible.
Curated OER
Skateboard Renegade
Students read the novel, "Skateboard Renegade." Reading pairs read the novel with an eye out for characteristics of responsibility. They add to a responsibility chart as they find examples. They also read to identify vocabulary, cause...
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 - Inclined Plane
Students learn the fundamentals and daily applications of simple machines.
Curated OER
Simple Machines - Kid Pix
Third graders recognize simple machines in their environment. They create a picture of his/her simple machine in Kid Pix Studio. Once students have completed their picture have them save it to their desktop or disk. Next they create a...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students recognize simple machines in their environment, create a picture of a simple machine using KidPix Software, and appropriately name and identify the type of simple machine that they have created using their keyboard.
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
How Can We Move Our Principal?
Learners learn about six simple machines. Students use their knowledge of simple machines to build their unique machine. Learners write reports explaining their machines.
Museum of Science
Gadget Anatomy: Understanding Machines
Young scholars observe a machine closely from several angles while it operates. Identify the elements of machines combined in different gadgets. Create a clear diagram of how a machine works.
Curated OER
Can You Find the Difference?
Learners create their own balance to determine a difference in the weight (and composition) of cents made in different years.
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students define the term simple machine, identify and appreciate their use. In this simple machines lesson students complete an activity and share their ideas.
Curated OER
Exploring Levers
Students examine the parts of a lever system and their functions. In this simple machines lesson students study the different classes of levers and what they are used for.
Curated OER
Plane Pretenders
Students examine simple machines evaluating a screw as an inclined plane. In this simple machines instructional activity, students use nuts and bolts and a microscopic vantage point to discover how to find an inclined plane. Students...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Learners design objects in the Museum of Modern Art's collection of simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, students explore the machine age in the MoMA's design collection. Learners identify simple machines and the elements in...