Lesson Plan
University of California

University of California at Berkeley: Understanding Science: Mystery Boxes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
An interesting activity where learners collaborate to create a visual image of what the inside of a sealed box looks like. The box has a marble or other type of sphere inside it, as well as partitions and/or ramps. Students come to...
Interactive
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Energy Skate Park

For Students 9th - 10th
Build tracks, ramps and jumps in a skate park to learn about energy.
Interactive
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Energy Skate Park

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about conservation of energy with a skater dude. Build tracks, ramps, and jumps for the skater and view the kinetic energy, potential energy and friction as he moves.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Splash, Pop, Fizz: Rube Goldberg Machines

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Refreshed with an understanding of the six simple machines; screw, wedge, pully, incline plane, wheel and axle, and lever, student groups receive materials and an allotted amount of time to act as mechanical engineers to design and...
Lesson Plan
Better Lesson

Better Lesson: Exploring Force and Motion

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
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.
Handout
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: 1 Dimensional Kinematics

For Students 6th - 8th
An activity in which average speed is calculated for a ball sliding along an inclined plane. This speed is compared to various instantaneous speeds along the incline.
Graphic
Curated OER

Integrated Publishing/the Screw

For Students 9th - 10th
A full and complete discussion of the simple machine called the screw, a modified inclined plane. Many examples and drawings and applications.
Activity
The Franklin Institute

[Archived Content] the Franklin Institute: The Screw Demonstration

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an activity demonstrating that the screw is an inlined plane.
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Ramp and Piano

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This module has students using a simple machine to learn about the relationship between work, force, and energy.
Lesson Plan
SEDL

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory: Simple Machines [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This large PDF file contains seven lessons on simple machines. Includes illustrations. Requires Adobe Reader.
Handout
National Geographic

National Geographic: Encyclopedia: Ocean Trench

For Students 6th - 8th
Comprehensive information about deep-ocean trenches. Includes maps, a video [1:29], and a vocabulary list.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: A Simple Solution for the Circus

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this activity, students are challenged to design a contraption using simple machines to move a circus elephant into a rail car. After students consider their audience and constraints, they work in groups to brainstorm ideas and select...
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Modern Day Pyramids

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the ways in which ancient technologies - six types of simple machines and combinations - are used to construct modern buildings. As they work together to solve a design problem (designing and building a modern...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: There's a Machine in My Toy Box!

For Students 3rd - 5th
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...
Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Preschool Races

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about the relationship between rotational and translational kinetic energy, and how each are exchanged when objects roll down inclined ramps using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and...
Unit Plan
Oswego City School District

Regents Exam Prep Center: Reference Angles and Triangles

For Students 9th - 10th
The mathematics session investigates reference angles and triangles. The tutorial consists of class notes, examples, and practice problems with solutions. The teacher resource includes a worksheet on the construction of skateboarding ramps.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Investigating School Safety and Slope

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Using a 'news report' approach, students investigate the slope of various stairways on the school campus and report on wheelchair accessibility and adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act. (PowerPoint Included) An extension of...
Activity
Other

Odyssey of the Mind: Up to Speed

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students "learn about vehicles, velocity, angles, and energy," as they participate in a variety of creative and hands-on activities, like building adjustable ramps, researching modes of transportation, and predicting "what transportation...
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Machines Can Move!

For Students 2nd
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about simple machines used in daily life such as: a pulley, a screw, an inclined plane, a wheel and axle, a wedge, and a lever. A question sheet is available to help students build...
Interactive
National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids: Dung Beetle Derby

For Students 3rd - 8th
A strategy game where students build walls and ramps in the rainforest, so they can help the dung beetles roll away the balls of dung.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: How to Make Something Simple, Hard

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars 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...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Inventions Using Simple Machines Project

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students will have completed a unit on the six simple machines (lever, inclined plane, pulley, wedge, screw, and wheel and axle) before beginning this project. Students will choose to investigate an invention composed of one or more...
Article
A&E Television

History.com: On 9/11, Some Evacuated the Pentagon but Kept Going Back Inside

For Students 9th - 10th
'We pledge to never leave a fallen comrade behind,' says one of the survivors. American Airlines Flight 77, struck the Pentagon between Wedges 1 and 2. Anderson was in Wedge 2. Pentagon workers who had evacuated were trying to get inside...
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: Tending the Commons

For Students 9th - 10th
Sound recordings, photographs, manuscripts, and interactive maps describe a way of life in the mountains of West Virginia. The culture of the folks in the Big Coal River Valley as well as the environment of the Valley are explored.

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