Read Works
Read Works: Safer Sidewalks
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about curb ramps to make sidewalks safer. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix Series: Friction
[Free Registration/Login Required] Use given friction formulas and an interactive diagram for an inclined plane to solve a motion problem. After the activity, answer a challenge question to check for understanding.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Engineering: Simple Machines
Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make work easier. Students are introduced to the six types of simple machines - the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, and pulley - in the context of the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: 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...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Solid Rock to Building Block
Students continue their pyramid building journey, acting as engineers to determine the appropriate wedge tool to best extract rock from a quarry and cut into pyramid blocks. Using sample materials (wax, soap, clay, foam) representing...
Other
Odyssey of the Mind: Up to Speed
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...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: 1 Dimensional Kinematics
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.
Curated OER
Image of Inclined Plane
An interactive Java applet from the University of Utah that allows users to investigate the effect of the coefficient of friction on the motion of a block sliding down an incline. Initial height of the block and the friction coefficient...
University of Houston
University of Houston: Simple Machines Learning Site: Wedge
Several examples, along with a definition and explanation of the simple machine, the wedge.
The Franklin Institute
[Archived Content] the Franklin Institute: The Screw Demonstration
This is an activity demonstrating that the screw is an inlined plane.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Reporters: Simple Machines: The Screw
Scholastic provides an in-depth description here of a simple machine called The Screw. Also provides a picture and several examples for understanding.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Ramp and Piano
[Free Registration/Login Required] This module has students using a simple machine to learn about the relationship between work, force, and energy.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: There's a Machine in My Toy Box!
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...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Modern Day Pyramids
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...
Curated OER
Integrated Publishing/the Screw
A full and complete discussion of the simple machine called the screw, a modified inclined plane. Many examples and drawings and applications.
PBS
Wgbh: Peep and the Big Wide World: Explore and Play: Snowy Hills
Students make two snowy hills, one steep and one gentle, to discover their effects on rolling objects.
PBS
Wgbh: Peep and the Big Wide World: Roll or Slide?
A classroom activity where students discover whether an object rolls, slides, or stays put.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Dish It Out, Simple Machine Game
Explore the physics of motion and simple machines with this interactive game. Try a pre-made challenge or set up ramps in your own challenge to get the mysterious Dim Sum ball into the take-out container.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Physics for Kids: Simple Machines
Kids learn about the science behind simple machines such as levers, wheels, pulleys, inclined planes, and screws. How they work together to make complex machinery.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Nctm: Figure This: Access Ramp
So, you're interested in becoming a civil engineer, builder, or landscaper? Then you'll need to sharpen your skills in measuring slope. Try this math challenge where you will discover how to measure the steepness of an incline.
Beacon Learning Center
Beacon Learning Center: Simple Machines Made Simple
The six types of simple machines are explained clearly through pictures, text and videos.
Other
Institute of Physics: Practical Physics: Investigating Motion Sloping Surface
This experiment allows both acceleration and deceleration to be investigated by data logging the output from a motion sensor.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Force and Motion: Simple Machines
A slideshow and a short quiz on simple machines and how they reduce the amount of work or effort needed to complete a task.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Science Lessons: Simple Machines Learning Site
Provides definitions of all 6 simple machines with examples and student drawing of them. Interactive "simple machines quiz" at the end.