Curated OER
Applied Science - Technology (1B) Pre Lab
First graders explore simple machines. In this technology instructional activity, 1st graders review pulleys, levers, wedges, and ramps. They experiment with lifting items with and without these simple machines.
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Incline Planes
In this simple machine worksheet, students explore incline planes and learn how to calculate the mechanical advantage (MA) using forces or distance. This worksheet has 14 matching, 3 fill in the blank, and 6 short answer questions.
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Simple Machines
In this simple machine worksheet, students review the definitions of different simple machines including levers, wheels, and inclined planes. Students match the 7 words to their definitions and then place the words in to a word puzzle.
Curated OER
Simple Machines
In this simple machines activity, students read about different simple machines and then complete word problems about a ramp and a lever. Students complete 2 word problems.
Curated OER
Emotional Speed with Balls and Ramps
Fifth graders investigate the relationship between mass and speed. In this physics lesson, 5th graders experiment with motion by being given a ramp, two balls, and blocks or books for elevation. Students determine how different variables...
Curated OER
Work and Efficiency
In this doing work worksheet, students calculate how a ramp can increase the efficiency of the work done by decreasing the force necessary to complete the task. This worksheet has 9 problems to solve.
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Forces That Move Objects
In this forces worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer by writing in examples of simple machines that can apply forces to move objects.
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What Are Simple Machines?
In this simple machines worksheet, students categorizes examples of simple machines as either changing strength, changing direction, or both. This worksheet is a graphic organizer.
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Marble Ramp
Fifth graders complete an assignment while working in groups. In this problem solving instructional activity students practice their problem solving skills while completing an activity.
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Simple Machines
In this simple machines worksheet, students will write in 6 examples of simple machines and then write in what those simple machines can do.
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How Do We Use Simple Machines?
In this simple machines worksheet, students will come up with five problems that we use simple machines for to help us solve that particular problem.
Curated OER
Ramps 1: Let it Roll!
Students perform the following activity as a group so that they can gain experience with how ramps work. Students will first construct a simple ramp and then time how fast different objects roll down that ramp.
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Ramps 2: Ramp Builder
Students plan, build, and test a ramp that allows objects to roll far.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Simple Machines From Pyramids to Skyscrapers
Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make work easier, and which people have used to provide mechanical advantage for thousands of years. Students learn about the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane,...
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Work and Force
Given descriptions, illustrations, graphs, or charts, students will contrast situations where work is done with different amounts of force to situations where no work is done, such as moving a box with a ramp and without a ramp or...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Simple Machines
Through a five-lesson series with five hands-on activities, students are introduced to six simple machines - inclined plane, wedge, screw, lever, pulley, wheel-and-axle - as well as compound machines, which are combinations of two or...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Reporters: Simple Machines: The Wedge
Scholastic provides an in-depth explanation to a simple-machine concept here as The Wedge. Also provides a picture and several examples for understanding.
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.
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute Online: Simple Machines
Information on all six simple machines, nicely presented with extra information available for all. Other sources available. Do "Try This Demonstration."
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.
PBS
Wgbh: Peep and the Big Wide World: Explore and Play: Sliding Peep
Students make their own ramps and test them out by sending various objects down them.
PBS
Wgbh: Peep and the Big Wide World: Share the Day's Discoveries
Share and discuss ideas the students have about ramps and rolling objects.
PBS
Wgbh: Peep and the Big Wide World: Share the Day's Discoveries
Discuss classroom explorations and discoveries about ramps.
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.