Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, students construct two simple machines and describe what they do. Students show that simple changes help machines do work with less effort. Students use a paper clip...

The lever is an everyday simple machine. Youngsters learn the principles of levers and explore their many uses. Groups of pupils perform a simple lab where they lift objects with a fulcrum while placing the load in a variety of...

Young scholars apply abstract concepts, such as stress, fulcrums, the law of gravity, and the strength of different geometric shapes. Groups of student contractors operate simulated architectural firms to create strong, economical bridges.

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...

Second graders maneuver placement of the fulcrum on the lever to see how to lift weight most easily. They role-play as archaeologists with the task of lifting a heavy rock from the dig site. They write in science journals about what...

Students investigate how levers can be used to lift objects. They participate in hands-on activities to explore the distance a load is lifted when comparing the amount the lever arm was pushed down. Students discover the how placement...

In this levers worksheet, students read a one page information text about the three classes of levers. Students then analyze 10 pictures of simple machines and circle the fulcrum point. Students classify each machine according to the...

Learners investigate the lever and the mathematics associated with levers. They determine the conditions necessary to balance a system of forces around a fulcrum.

Students recognize and identify common objects that can be used as a lever. In this simple machines lesson, students experiment with materials to design and construct a machine that uses a lever. Students also design and build a catapult.

Can a mother who weighs five times more than her child really be held in the air on a see saw by the child? A simple simulation demonstrates how this is possible through altering the distance from the fulcrum. Scholars can adjust the...

The principles of levers and simple machines are presented here. An easy-to-make lever is constructed by each group of scientists, and they use it to explore how this simple machine makes heavy things so much easier to lift and move. A...

In this levers learning exercise, students review how to calculate mechanical advantages using forces and using distance. Kids explore the three types of levers. Then students complete 20 fill in the blank questions and 6 problems to solve.

Young scholars create their own balance to determine a difference in the weight (and composition) of cents made in different years.

For this lever worksheet, students determine the ideal mechanical advantage for different classes of levers. This worksheet has 6 problems to solve.

Students explore agriculture and the current technologies and research that continue to make Earth a viable planet. This four lessons unit introduce students to simple machines and the concepts of force and friction through a variety of...

Students explore three classes of levers. They classify the class of lever represented by a picture. Students discuss their choices. They prepare a written paper explaining their choice.

Students discover what simple machines are and identify a gear, a pulley, and a lever. In teams, they build at least two models each of simple machines and challenge them with specific instruction cards. Finally, students present and...

Young scholars investigate lever systems in the human body and compare arm anatomy to model.  In this human levers lesson students graph and analyze their results.

Teach young engineers that all machines, no matter how complicated or complex, are made up of just six simple devices with this hands-on physical science lesson plan. Using the included templates, students first create paper models...

Sometimes we all need a helping hand. Scholars get together to lend a hand in creating an assistive device that must be able to grab a hard-to-reach object. Now that's some help we could all use!

Planning an elementary science unit has never been simpler! These twelve lessons guide young scientists through an exploration of simple machines and their many uses in the real world before asking them to apply their learning...

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...

Learners experiments with levers to determine if the amount of force needed to lift a load is always the same. In this physics instructional activity, students use Lab-Pro data collector as they experiment with the fulcrum placement to...

Get the ball rolling with this upper-elementary science unit on forces and motion. Offering over three weeks of physical science lessons, this resource is a great way to engage the class in learning about simple machines, friction,...