Colorado Unit Writing Project
Simple Machines
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 in the...
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Welcome to the Wonderful World of Machines
Designed for a lower elementary school classroom, this presentation on simple machines is a wonderful way to introduce this topic. The resource begins by identifying and defining the six types of simple machines, and then goes on to...
Purdue University
Simple Machines
What's the best way to use a simple machine to solve a real-world problem? Scholars construct their own simple and complex machines to explore the concepts of work and force. They discuss examples of simple machines they have found in...
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Simple Machines
Fourth graders discover the principles and uses of gears noting that they can be used to change the direction of motion or the speed of an object. They may also change the force and/or distance through which an object turns. They then...
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The Gear Game
Students discuss that the conservatin of energy states that the energy imput must equal the energy output. They then figure out how can a machine help you to perform task otherwise considered impossible? Students discuss the six simple...
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Simple Machines V - Wheels and Axles and Gears
Fourth graders investigate the principles and uses of gears, and examine how gears can be used to alter the direction of motion or the speed of an object. They observe two cars with different sized wheels roll down an inclined plane,...
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Simple Machine Research
Fifth graders demonstrate the ability to use scientific skills and Processes to describe forces that act upon objects to cause specific changes in motion. They identify and describe a science problem related to forces and simple machines.
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...
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Simple Machines and Mechanical Advantage
In this simple machines science worksheet, students read about simple machines, mechanical advantages, calculating mechanical advantage, output force versus input force, and distance effort versus distance of resistance. Then students...
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Simple Machines and Mechanical Advantage
In this machines worksheet, students review the six simple machines and how to calculate mechanical advantage. Students complete 8 matching, 16 fill in the blank, and 6 problems to solve.
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Simple Machines in the Home
Students explore simple machines used in the home. In this simple machines lesson plan, students discover that many household items are constructed from simple machines. Students interact with nutcrackers, peelers, egg slicers, and egg...
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Mechanical Advantage and Simple Machines
Middle schoolers investigate simple machines. They calculate the work done by simple machines and compare the force or direction of force applied. They calculate mechanical advantage and efficiency of simple machines and identify...
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Simple Machines
Students engage in a instructional activity that explores the concept of simple machines. They view a powerpoint media presentation and then are introduced to adult volunteers for the instructional activity. Each volunteer is at a...
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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.
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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.
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Exploring Simple Machines
Students investigate simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, students study how simple machines work. Students determine the function of various simple machines.
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Goldberg's Gears
Students engage in a instructional activity that is concerned with the design principles employed by the engineer Reuben Goldberg. They read a biographical sketch of the artist and then create the context for studying how machines work....
Discover Da Vinci
Da Vinci: Machines Exhibition
Transportation devices, military devices, mechanical devices, entertainment devices. The inventions of Leonardo da Vinci are legendary. After viewing images of da Vinci's inventions, class members are encouraged to draft their own...
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Simple Machines
In this science worksheet, students focus upon the concept of bicycle gears and develop the answers to the 2 questions at the bottom of the page.
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Applied Science - Technology (2A) Lab
Second graders experiment with simple machines. In this machine lesson, 2nd graders go to different labs to see examples of a lever, inclined plane, wedge, pulley, gears, and wheel and axle. They discuss how a machine makes work a lot...
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Can You Bear It? Pulleys, Gears, Forces, Structures and Mechanisms
Students review the types of simple machines. As a class, they focus on the positives and negatives of pulleys and gears and identify what pulleys and gears change of an object. They work together to design their own object to support a...
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Applied Science - Technology (2A) Post Lab
Second graders explore simple machines. In this technology lesson, 2nd graders look at pulleys and gears and what the uses are for each. They complete a worksheet comparing the two.
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How Gear Systems Work: A Research Project
Students apply information regarding simple machines along with the math concept "ratios." The teacher introduces the concept that technology is the application of scientific knowledge and mathematics concepts to solve a problem. This is...
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Simple Machines
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...