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Interactive
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University of Delaware: Virtual Compound Microscope

For Students 9th - 10th
This virtual microscope is ideal for learning how to properly use a microscope. Users can turn knobs and dials, throw switches, move levers, change lenses, select a specimen, and adjust oculars. Watch the seven minute video for an...
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Splash, Pop, Fizz: Rube Goldberg Machines

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Refreshed with an understanding of the six simple machines; screw, wedge, pully, incline plane, wheel and axle, and lever, student groups receive materials and an allotted amount of time to act as mechanical engineers to design and...
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Article
Council of Foreign Relations

Council on Foreign Relations: How to Handle North Korea

For Students 9th - 10th
A review of the sinking of a South Korean ship by North Korea, & the actions of retribution taken so far. The final discussion revolves around the critical importance that China plays in this, and the influence it can lever either...
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Lesson Plan
Other

Ontario Council for Technology Education: Designing and Testing a Crane [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
By the end of this project, students will be familiar with the 6 different simple machines and will be able to identify how these machines are used in products and tools they use on a daily basis. They will investigate how mechanical...
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Primary
US National Archives

Nara: Teaching With Documents: Sow the Seeds of Victory!

For Students 9th - 10th
A very interesting look at the efforts made by the Wilson administration and the American public in feeding its citizens during World War I. Find out about the extraordinary legal actions taken by the federal government to assure a...
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Lesson Plan
SEDL

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory: Simple Machines [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This large PDF file contains seven lessons on simple machines. Includes illustrations. Requires Adobe Reader.
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Sum It Up: An Introduction to Static Equilibrium

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students are introduced to static equilibrium by learning how forces and torques are balanced in a well-designed engineering structure. A tower crane is presented as a simplified two-dimensional case. Using Popsicle sticks and hot glue,...
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Graphic
Duke University

Hartman Center: Emergence of Advertising in America

For Students 9th - 10th
The Emergence of Advertising in America: 1850-1920 (EAA) presents over 9,000 images, with database information, relating to the early history of advertising in the United States.
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: A Simple Solution for the Circus

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this activity, students are challenged to design a contraption using simple machines to move a circus elephant into a rail car. After students consider their audience and constraints, they work in groups to brainstorm ideas and select...
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Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Modern Day Pyramids

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
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...
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Handout
Other

Drexel University: Archimedes

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive site dedicated to the life and legacy of the Greek mathematician Archimedes. Content includes a timeline of Archimedes' life, an overview of several of his inventions, and numerous anecdotes isolating various moments in his...
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: There's a Machine in My Toy Box!

For Students 3rd - 5th
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...
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Website
Creative Science Centre

Creative Science Centre: A Simple Demonstration of Piezoelectricity

For Students 9th - 10th
Piezoelectricity is an electrical effect that occurs when mechanical stress is applied to certain materials, e.g., quartz crystals, Rochelle salts, and barium titanate. The sound of a wrist watch alarm or a smoke detector is made by a...
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Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Can You Solve the Bridge Riddle?

For Students 9th - 10th
Taking that internship in a remote mountain lab might not have been the best idea. Pulling that lever with the skull symbol just to see what it did probably wasn't so smart either. But now is not the time for regrets because you need to...
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Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Machines Can Move!

For Students 2nd
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about simple machines used in daily life such as: a pulley, a screw, an inclined plane, a wheel and axle, a wedge, and a lever. A question sheet is available to help students build...
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Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: Lifting a Lion

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this activity, students learn to solve a real-world problem. Using a toy lion and a lever, students discover how much work is needed to raise the toy lion. They use proportions to determine the force needed to lift a real lion.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: How to Make Something Simple, Hard

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers will have completed a unit of forces and motion prior to the current unit of study on simple machines (lever, inclined plane, screw, wedge, pulley, wheel and axle). Students will review the functions and examples of...
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Inventions Using Simple Machines Project

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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...
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Handout
Other

Trinity Valley Community College: Introd. To Accessibility: Universal Design

For Students 9th - 10th
The goal of Universal Design is to create spaces and products that are as usable as possible to the greatest number of people despite their differences. This page is a course introduction and provides a brief description of universal...
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Handout
PBS

Pbs Kids: Design Squad Challenge: Pop Fly [Pdf]

For Students 3rd - 8th
Hands-on challenge to design and build a way to launch a Ping-Pong ball high enough to catch it. Provides full list of materials with ideas on how to design, build, test, and redesign it if necessary. Activity focuses on the engineering...
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Lesson Plan
Utah Education Network

Uen: Catapult Creations

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders learn how a catapult works and build their own.
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Handout
PBS

Pbs: Nova: Infinite Secrets

For Students 9th - 10th
Offers a look into the mind of Archimedes based on findings within newly discovered manuscript.
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Activity
NASA

Nasa: Weight and Balance Forces Acting on an Airplane

For Students 9th - 10th
The effects of forces exerted on an airplane wing are discussed both conceptually and mathematically. Illustrations and sample problems and solutions are provided.
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Handout
Scholastic

Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Reporters: Simple Machines: The Wheel and Axle

For Teachers 9th - 10th
An in-depth explanation of the wheel and axle from Scholastic. Also provides several examples and a picture for understanding.

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