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How Can We Move Our Principal?
Students learn about six simple machines. Students use their knowledge of simple machines to build their unique machine. Students write reports explaining their machines.
Museum of Science
Gadget Anatomy: Understanding Machines
Students observe a machine closely from several angles while it operates. Identify the elements of machines combined in different gadgets. Create a clear diagram of how a machine works.
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Can You Find the Difference?
Young scholars create their own balance to determine a difference in the weight (and composition) of cents made in different years.
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Simple Machines
Students define the term simple machine, identify and appreciate their use. In this simple machines lesson students complete an activity and share their ideas.
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Exploring Levers
Students examine the parts of a lever system and their functions. In this simple machines lesson students study the different classes of levers and what they are used for.
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Plane Pretenders
Students examine simple machines evaluating a screw as an inclined plane. In this simple machines lesson, students use nuts and bolts and a microscopic vantage point to discover how to find an inclined plane. Students measure the...
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Simple Machines
Students design objects in the Museum of Modern Art's collection of simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, students explore the machine age in the MoMA's design collection. Students identify simple machines and the elements in...
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Machines at Home
In this simple machines activity, students examine methods to reduce friction in simple machines and note 5 of them on the lines provided.
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Simple Machines Cryptogram
In this simple machines worksheet, students unscramble the words that represent simple machines. Students unscramble 9 words and come up with a secret message in the end.
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Simple Machines: Word Scramble Worksheet
In this simple machines word scramble instructional activity, students unscramble the letters in 15 words pertaining to simple machines. There is no word list.
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Crossword: Simple Machines
In this simple machine worksheet, students read the simple machine definitions and then complete the crossword puzzle for the simple machine terms.
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Directions for Making an Inclined Plane
In this simple machines instructional activity, students follow the 5 directions and create a model of an inclined plane. Materials needed are a pencil, paper and tape.
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Simple Machines
Third graders listen to a short story entitled, "Phil's Adventures" from a book called Animal Stories. They stop at each obstacle in the story and do a quick write about how they would overcome the obstacle and draw a picture to...
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The Physics of Tools
Students investigate the nature and work of simple tools and mechanics.
They explain how each simple machine can be used in real world applications. They explore levers, balance beams, windlasses, wedges, gears, ocarinas, harmonicas,...
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Getting Geared Up!
Students create their own Power Point presentation displaying clip art pictures of simple machines and telling how each machine makes tasks easier. They break into small groups and review information on simple machines from website and...
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Machines: Useful But Dangerous
First graders study, observe, and use a simple machine. They study necessary safety and review posted safety rules related to using a machine and identify strategies for reporting any accidents or injuries.
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Simple Machines/Technology
Third graders examine the concept of work as the movement of an object through a distance. They define gravity and determine what type of work is caused by gravity. They measure how far an object is moved by a force. They make a...
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Simple Machines
Fifth graders study how simple machines can help us alter forces and discuss the term mechanical advantage. They then identify dysfunctional simple machines and discuss in groups how the dysfunctions will decrease the effectiveness of each.
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Toy Dissection Graph
Young scholars explore simple machines and how they are made. They examine the parts of the simple machine and collect information about its parts. Using Excel, students create circle and bar graphs from the collected data.
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Simple Machine Invention
Students access the Internet and research simple machines. They locate five different web sites within a simple machines web quest and then create their own simple machine invention using the resources found on the Internet.
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Optical Illusion Machine
Students explore optical illusions. Using Legos, they construct and motorize a machine that has an axle that's geared up and geared down, complete a worksheet, and answer discussion questions.
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Simply Unique
Students identify, compare and contrast simple machines and their functions. They work together in groups to complete experiments using the simple machines. They write in their journals to reflect on the lesson.
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Simple Machines, Odd Machine
Students explore six simple machines and locate them operating in a compound machine. The simple machines are identified at a variety of stations set up in the classroom and continued by identifying the machines in their homes.
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Finding Simple Machines in Farm Machinery
Students identify simple machines and how they must work together to form a piece of equipment used in agriculture. They create a diagram of a piece of farm equipment and write about two of the simple machines they drew.