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...

Blow the minds of young scientists with this collection of inquiry-based investigations. Based on a series of eight videos, these "hands-on, minds-on" science lessons engage young learners in exploring a wide range of topics...

A very impressive lesson plan on the Wright brothers and their place in aviation history. Learners discover many fascinating facts about the Wright brothers and their trials and errors regarding flight. Best of all, they get to build a...

Students explore the everyday implications of system failure. They are challenged to identify the causes of system failure.

Students create their own model of a nail clipper. They practice using engineering design and model building. They also identify different kinds of small levers.

Students complete a research project.  In this technology lesson plan, students discuss the term technology and when technology began.  Students work in groups to brainstorm a list of the top ten technological advances in...

Students investigate the various uses of a paper cup. In this scientific inquiry lesson, students investigate various ways to use a paper cup by identifying its characteristics. Students sketch their discovery.

Students read The Gadget War by Betsy Duffey. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding inventors and inventions. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library connections.

This large PDF file contains seven lessons on simple machines. Includes illustrations. Requires Adobe Reader.

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,...

The purpose of this lesson plan is to learn about the different types of simple machines and their uses. PDF (requires Adobe Reader) and RTF (requires Word or Notebook).

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...

Provides definitions of all 6 simple machines with examples and student drawing of them. Interactive "simple machines quiz" at the end.

Identify the six simple machines by dragging the correct term, and dropping it onto the associated simple machine.

A slideshow and a short quiz on simple machines and how they reduce the amount of work or effort needed to complete a task.

Learn about levers and make the connection between these simple machines and the human body.

Simple machines are everywhere, even many of your toys are simple machines. Come visit this science fair project and explore the six types of simple machines. Find out how many are hiding under the hinged lid (yes, another simple...

Simple machines allow us to do difficult tasks like lifting objects heavier than our body weight. In this science project you'll build a tabletop lever and measure how much effort it takes to lift an object by altering the length of the...

Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make work easier. Students are introduced to the six types of simple machines - the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, and pulley - in the context of the...

Learners 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...

The six types of simple machines are explained clearly through pictures, text and videos.

Gives short descriptions of the six types of simple machines.

Simple machines such as inclined planes in wedges and screws are explained.

Kids learn about the science behind simple machines such as levers, wheels, pulleys, inclined planes, and screws. How they work together to make complex machinery.