Curated OER
Simple Machines I - Inclined Planes, Wedges, and Screws
The principles and uses of inclined planes, screws, and wedges are the focus of a science lesson. In it, youngsters come up with every day examples of simple machines, and build an example of one in class. That project is then used to...
Teach Engineering
Just Plane Simple
It is plane to see that simple machines help reduce the force needed to perform a task. This resource introduces three of the simple machines--the inclined plane, the wedge, and the screw, and the formulas in order to be able to...
Curated OER
Simple Machines I - Inclined Planes, Wedges, and Screws
Fourth graders examine the physics behind and uses for inclined planes, screws, and wedges. They determine examples of how these simple machines are used in daily life. Working in three small groups, they move from station to station...
Curated OER
The Hand Drill: An Example of a Screw
Young scholars examine how a screw works as an inclined plane and a hand drill works as a screw. In this physics activity, students complete two hands-on activities working with simple machines including screws and hand drills. This...
Curated OER
Simple Machines Stations!
Fourth graders investigate the principles and uses of an inclined plane, screw, and wedge and identify examples of simple machines. They rotate through three experiment stations, complete a worksheet for each station, and read a handout...
Curated OER
Do the Twist...(Learning about Screws)
Students investigate how screws are a twisted incline plane. They observe the teacher screw a screw into wood and participate in a class discussion. Next, they make and test a prediction about how the spacing of the threads on a screw...
Curated OER
Simple Machines - Museum of Science and Industry
In this museum student guide worksheet, students make a mini-book about simple machines to be used during a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry. They locate the exhibits that demonstrate the wedge, inclined plane, screw, lever,...
Teach Engineering
The Advantage of Machines
Show your students how to make their work easier. The first lesson plan in a series of 10 introduces the class to work and the way simple machines can be make work easier. The simple machines scholars can find in everyday items are...
Curated OER
Objects Race 500
Young scholars explore the concept of "shape affects speed" through a series of experiments. In this physics instructional activity, students participate in an experiment in which various objects are released on an inclined plane. Speed...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Six Kinds Do It All
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. Using the included templates, students first create paper models of...
Curated OER
We Have Work to Do!
An excellent lesson plan awaits your young scientists! In it, learners are invited to explore the world of pulleys, levers, and planes; simple machines that make lifting heavy things much, much easier. They watch video, and engage in...
Curated OER
Plane Pretenders
Young scholars 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. Young...
Curated OER
Slide Right On By Using an Inclined Plane
Fourth graders examine the simple machine known as a plane. They build their own pyramid and identify the role of screws. They participate in a hands-on activity in which they determine the angle in which to make it easier to pull.
Curated OER
Simple Machines - Fruit Wedge
Fourth graders examine the principles and uses of inclined planes, screws, and wedges while they determine examples of simple machines that are use in everyday life. They separate different kinds of fruit into pieces to determine the...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students create a pyramid design based on the 6 simple machines that they are introduced to. In this simple machines lesson plan, students are introduced to the wedge, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw, and pulley.
Curated OER
Engineering: Simple Machines
Fourth graders participate in activities to examine how simple machines help build things. They identify the six types of simple machines. They discover how simple machines where use historically to build pyramids and how they are still...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Learners explore the concepts of force and effort by observing simple machines. In this physics lesson, students attempt to sharpen a pencil without any help, bite into an orange with their lips curled over their teeth, and other...
Curated OER
You are Uniquely You
Students compare and contrast simple machines and their functions. In this cross-curriculum science simple machines lesson, students observe examples and read about simple machines, then use body movement to demonstrate how machines...
Curated OER
Simple Machines and Modern Day Engineering Analogies
Students 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...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students research simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, students explore the many types of simple machines such as the lever, pulley, and screw. Students discover simple machines in the classroom.
Curated OER
Getting Help, but for More Work?
Fifth graders discuss prior knowledge of slope and force. They relate steepness of slope to the force needed to get an object up the slope. Students read from their text the information about inclined planes. They answer the questions...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Here is an inventive plan that should get your young scientists excited! In it, groups of pupils test out the work done by six different simple machines. The machines are: the wedge, the lever, the inclined plane, the pulley, the screw,...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines lesson plan, students explore how tools increase productivity and make life easier. Students experiment with simple tools and discover the parts of each tool.
Curated OER
An Introduction to Simple Machines
Students investigate simple machines and their uses in everyday life. In this scientific method instructional activity, students examine physical tools such as wedges, screws, and levers using a "how does it work" approach. Students...