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,...

Planning a unit on simple machines? Save some time and energy with this collection of lessons and activities that explores how these devices are used in the real world to make life a little easier. 

Students investigate levers. In this simple machine lesson, students study levers and  the mechanical advantage of using levers. They will collect data and illustrate their systems for eight different tests.

Students design a working working model of a trebuchet and demonstrate the power of a Class 1 lever. They test their models by throwing grapes the greatest distance and raising and lowering bricks.

Students use a simple machine (a lever) to launch a plastic frog. students determine who is able to make their frog "jump" the farthest and graph the results.

Learners use basic materials to create four simple machines. In this introduction to simple machines lesson, students are given four different scenarios that require a simple machine in order to solve. The learners use devices such as a...

Students research one of the simple machines listed in the instructional activity and review several simple machine websites to complete their research. Students use software and a watch a video to learn more about machines. Students...

Using a worksheet that's embedded in the plan, elementary schoolers must come up with the most possible combinations of food they can order from the menu on the worksheet. The lesson is meant to be done independently by everyone, then...

Students discover there's more than one way to move a heavy load. In this problem solving lesson, students use observation and problem-solving skills as they experiment with simple machines in order to transport loads.

Pupils study civil engineering, safety apparatuses in their city, and design their own city. In this civil engineering lesson, students discuss their towns safety apparatuses and define civil engineers. Pupils then design their own town...

Students create a mobile of boxes and cubes that they made in a previous lesson that can be accessed from this page. They design the mobile using method that an engineer would use to balance the items based on surface areas and volumes.

Fourth graders predict, observe, and compare what happens when a force is applied to an object. In this forces instructional activity, 4th graders complete a 'swinging hammer' activity to learn about forces and motion.