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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Machines Help Us Stay Healthy

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students visit different departments at a local hospital to see how machines help peoples such as the CAT scan machine. They build a model of such a machine that shows how patients are moved in and out of the machine.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inclined Plane and Pulley

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe how inclined plane and pulleys make work easier. In this physics lesson, students calculate work done and mechanical advantage of both simple machines. They collect data from the experiment and construct graphs.
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Activity
Museum of Science

Water Balloon Catapult

For Teachers K - 6th
Fire away! Using a couple of milk jugs, a dowel rod, and a yardstick, individuals build catapults to throw water balloons. Learners notice that the catapult is a simple machine. By making a target, the class has a chance to refine their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build Working Models With household Items

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students follow the illustration, and cut out foam board according to the pattern. They assemble the small parts by gluing. Once the glue is dry, students tape the end of the bottom and top clipper boards, they slide toothpicks through...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Machine

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore how simple machines can affect their health and lifestyle. In addition, 3rd graders use their knowledge of simple machines to build a unique machine.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Machines: Not So Simple

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students examine the names and images of simple machines in a matching activity. They build a simple machine using K'NEX before taking and printing out a digital picture of their example. They complete five station activities based on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Crazy Contraption

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders design a contraption, which contains five different examples of simple machines and works without intervention. They sketch designs and label its parts. They present their creations to the class and relate them to Rube...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forces and Motion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are able to analyze gravity as an universal force. They are able to demonstrate ways that simple machines can change force. Students are able to determine how the force of friction retards motion. They are able to describe...
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Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

Farming in the 1930's

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research and conduct experiments with several types of simple machines. They examine levers, pulleys, inclined planes, wheels, axles, wedges and screws and then consider the physics behind "Green Eggs and Ham".
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applied Science - Technology (2A) Lab

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders experiment with simple machines. In this machine lesson, 2nd graders go to different labs to see examples of a lever, inclined plane, wedge, pulley, gears, and wheel and axle. They discuss how a machine makes work a lot...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can You Do It?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars create a simple machine to help with the design of the traditional can opener. For this simple machines lesson plan, students analyze the can opener, and use the design process to solve problems.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applied Science - Technology (2A) Post Lab

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore simple machines. In this technology lesson, 2nd graders look at pulleys and gears and what the uses are for each. They complete a worksheet comparing the two. 
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Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

The Newton Challenge

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Make Newton proud. Scholars apply their understanding of forces and energy to an engineering design challenge. They learn about simple machines, create a presentation on Newton's laws, and develop a balloon-powered car.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Just a Little Bit of Effort: Exploring Levers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers build models of types of levers. In this simple machines lesson, students use dowels and modified wooden rulers to build different types of levers. They compete to create the most efficient lever in the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Engineering - Solid Rock to Building Block

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students role-play as engineers designing wedge tools. They devise methods for shaping quarry rocks into pyramid blocks. Following a teacher demonstration, they use materials such as soap, clay, and foam for blocks and wood, plastic,...
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Leprechaun Traps Using Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Are you looking for a fun way to incorporate St. Patrick's Day into your science curriculum? Try designing and building leprechaun traps!
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physics Around the School: Simple Machines In and Out of the Classroom

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners explore different machines and the components that encompass the science of physics.  In this physics lesson plan students explore how things move.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Powerful Pulleys

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the building of a pyramid and how pulleys were used to change the direction of applied force. They demonstrate the mechanical advantage of using a pulley and apply it to modern engineering.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Call to Arms

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore how scientists build robotic arms that move similar to humans. In this robot instructional activity, students examine how scientists make robots. Students design and construct a mechanical arm that moves like a human...
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Activity
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Teach Engineering

Machines and Tools (Part 2)

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Which pulley system will give us a whale of a good time? Teams compare the theoretical and actual mechanical advantages of different pulley systems. They then form a recommendation for how to move a whale from an aquarium back to the ocean.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Connection to Social Studies-The Pyramids

For Students 7th - 10th
In this simple machines worksheet, students read about the pyramids and the simple machines used to build them. They answer three critical thinking questions about the building of the pyramids.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Electromagnetic Crane

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students explore electromagnetism, simple machines and the design process. They use the concepts of electromagnetism to design and build a device that uses an electromagnet, a pulley and a lever using the provided Engineering Design...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Electric Motor

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students build simple electric motors. In this hands-on science lesson, students gather the listed materials and follow the provided directions to make simple electric motors.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mystery Machines

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scholars explore simple machines and demonstrate thier acquired understanding by building a simple machine.