Fifth graders work cooperatively in groups to assemble and launch a rocket.

Students identify simple machines and how they must work together to form a piece of equipment used in agriculture. They create a diagram of a piece of farm equipment and write about two of the simple machines they drew.

Students work together to complete an experiment over binary sources. They determine values for the orbital period of certain objects and interpret intensity changes. They also calculate a value for the period of precession of an...

Fourth graders review how erosion can happen by wind, water, and gravity which they studied in previous lesson. They attempt to discover if all soils erode at the same rate. In small groups, 4th graders experiment with three different...

Students investigate friction between different surfaces. In this physics lesson plan, students research biomaterials that can reduce friction. They calculate efficiency using a mathematical formula.

Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, students study how simple machines work. Students determine the function of various simple machines.

Pupils experiment with the concept of Newton's second law of motion. After building a ramp, they determine whether a large marble or a small marble will move farther, based on Newton's law. Students record their data on the provided....

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

Students are introduced to the concept of simple tools and how they can make difficult or impossible tasks easier. They begin by investigating the properties of inclined planes and how implementing them can reduce the force necessary to...

In this activity, students will use different materials to find the most effective way to use an inclined plane (in other words, moving an object with as little force as possible). This is a guided inquiry. Although the students will be...

Students will measure the effects of the height of an inclined plane on the force a marble produces to move a plastic, foam, or paper cup across a table. Students will discover that the higher the incline plane, the more force produced...

Take the students outside on a walking field trip where they can notice ramps and slanted surfaces in the neighborhood.

An introductory activity where learners discover the way things roll and slide down ramps and hills.

Students explore building a pyramid, learning about the simple machine called an inclined plane. They also learn about another simple machine, the screw, and how it is used as a lifting or fastening device. During a hands-on activity,...

Set up several ramps around the room and allow the students to explore and investigate how they work.

Students will explore what they can do with balls, cars, marbles, and ramps and document findings in their science journals. This will engage their curiosity, allow them to make self-discoveries, and explore self-interests.

Share and discuss ideas the students have about ramps and rolling objects.

Discuss classroom explorations and discoveries about ramps.

Discussion and integrations ideas for the read aloud book, Ten on the Sled by Kim Norman.

Explore how different objects move down ramps in this Curious George instructional activity. Students will make predictions about how objects will roll down different heights of ramps.

After creating three different ramps with various heights, students will release toy cars from the tops of each ramp. Based on the elementary age level, students will collect data and analyze it.

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

Learners will have completed a unit of forces and motion prior to the current unit of study on simple machines (lever, inclined plane, screw, wedge, pulley, wheel and axle). Students will review the functions and examples of simple...

Good combination of teacher demonstration and student interaction for this simple machine lesson. Great for talking about force and work. Plans are for grades 2-4, yet are adaptable.