Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
Alex: Inventions Using Simple Machines Project Lesson PlanAlex: Inventions Using Simple Machines Project Lesson Plan
Publisher
Alabama Learning Exchange
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th - 8th
Subjects
Science
3 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audiences
For Administrator Use
1 more...
Lexile Measures
1140L
Lesson Plan

Alex: Inventions Using Simple Machines Project

Curated by ACT

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 simple machines that has already been invented, or they will choose to build a device composed of one or more simple machines. The invention must be safe to operate and it should be one that can be demonstrated at school. It should be one that students use themselves in everyday life. It should not be complicated.This lesson plan was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science, GEMS Project funded by the Malone Family Foundation.

3 Views 0 Downloads

Concepts

simple machines

Additional Tags

building simple machines, alex, alabama learning exchange, inventing a simple machine

Classroom Considerations

  • Knovation Readability Score: 4 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)

See similar resources:

Activity

Simple Machines Project

Cherokee County Schools
The choice is simple: create a PowerPoint presentation, write a book, or invent a compound machine. Whichever project your young scientists choose, they will be engaged in creatively demonstrating their knowledge of simple...
3rd - 8th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Activity

Simple Machines Design Project

Science Companion
Make your work as a teacher a little easier with a physical science project on simple machines. After introducing young scientists to these devices and identifying their different uses around the school, this project engages...
3rd - 6th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Handout

Simple Machines Worksheet

Curated OER
Simplify students' lives with this physical science note-taking guide. From inclined planes to moveable pulleys, this resource supports young scientists with defining each type of simple machine while identifying their mechanical...
3rd - 8th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Unit Plan

Simple Machines

Norwich Institute for Language Education
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. 
4th - 8th Math
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Simple Machine Scavenger Hunt

Workforce Solutions
How are simple machines used in professional settings? To find out, scholars examine various pictures, cross-reference a list of simple machines, and write or verbally share how those items are used in specific jobs.
6th - 8th Science
Interactive

Study Jams! Simple Machines

Scholastic
Here is a tri-faceted resource that has a slide show, a quiz, and a vocabulary list that you can use to teach simple machines. Six machines are introduced: wheels and axles, planes, levers, pulleys, wedges, and screws. Slides contain...
4th - 8th Science
Lesson Plan

The Advantage of Machines

Teach Engineering
Show your students how to make their work easier. The first lesson 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...
7th - 9th Science
CCSS: Designed
Activity

A Simple Solution for the Circus

Teach Engineering
Class members are challenged to design a device that will move a circus elephant into a train car. Groups brainstorm ideas that use simple machines to load the elephant. They then choose one of their ideas, sketch a plan, and present it...
6th - 8th Science
Instructional Video

Pbs Learning Media: Building Simple Machines: Plant Quencher

PBS
In this video segment from ZOOM, Jillian explains how her simple machine uses marbles, levers, flowing sand, and a spinning wheel to water a plant. [1:16]
3rd - 8th Science
Instructional Video

Pbs Learning Media: Zoom: Building Simple Machines: A Glass of Milk, Please

PBS
ZOOM video segment in which the cast shows how the 34 steps in their Rube Goldberg invention use everything from gravity to carbon dioxide gas in order to accomplish one simple task: pouring a glass of milk. [5:05]
3rd - 8th Science
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use