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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers K - 3rd
Young scholars discover what simple machines are and identify a gear, a pulley, and a lever. In teams, they build at least two models each of simple machines and challenge them with specific instruction cards. Finally, students present...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Can We Move Our Principal?

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students learn about six simple machines. Students use their knowledge of simple machines to build their unique machine. Students write reports explaining their machines.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TRIANGULATEERS IN THE REAL WORLD

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars explore about triangles and the simple machines that are made from those triangles. They are able to identify the kinds of triangles in the machines, tell how the triangular shapes make the machines function, and build a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wheel and Axle

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders construct a wheel and axle model using a Lego Dacta set. They read and discuss informational text from the book "It's Science! Machines We Use," and in small groups create a simple machine using Legos.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Monkeying Around

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders study machines. They watch a video about and identify and chart machines they find at home and at school. They design and build simple and compound machines, create an advertisement for them and attempt to sell them at the...
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Lesson Plan
NOAA

Invent a Robot!

For Teachers 5th - 6th Standards
Wait til your class gets their hands on this! Aspiring engineers design a working robotic arm in the fifth and final installment in a series of ocean exploration lessons. Pupils learn about the use of underwater robots in ocean...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interactivate: Introduction to Functions

For Teachers 7th - 9th
This interactive website provides a variety of lesson plans according to which standards you are applying and which textbook you use. Introduce functions to your class by having them construct single operation machines and create...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's So Simple

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars use basic materials to create four simple machines. For this introduction to simple machines lesson, students are given four different scenarios that require a simple machine in order to solve. The young scholars use...
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Activity
PBS

Helping Hand

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Reach out and grab something. Given the task of picking up objects at least two feet away, pupils design and build a grabber. The last activity in a series of five challenges requires learners to use information about fulcrums and levers.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Fill-In-The-Blanks: Simple Machines

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this simple machines worksheet, students use a word bank to complete a paragraph about simple machines. Worksheet has a link to additional activities.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Car: Mechanical Engineering

For Teachers K
Students use common materials to build a car. In this car building mechanical engineering lesson, students build a car using a milk cartoon and plastic wheels. They discuss what mechanical engineers do and what makes a car run.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Levers: What Can Leverage Do For Me?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students determine the identity of the three classes of levers while explaining how each works. They wait a video clip that shows uses for different types of levers and work as a class to write a KWL chart. Finally, they make a model fo...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tools and Machines for Work: Saving your Energy

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students consider how tools and machines can make work easier. They examine specific tools for making work easier.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wheels, Gears, and Compound Machines

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read selected pages from their science text and explain forces affected by wheels and axles. They read and discover that gears transfer forces and that gear combinations relate to compound machines.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Activity: Choosing a Pyramid Site

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students determine how engineers decide on choices for final designs and sites for construction. They look at a surveyor's report while they evaluate sites where a pyramid could be build. They consider the distance the pyramid would be...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Optical Illusion Machine

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Match the Machine

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Students identify simple machines found in different environments. In this matching lesson, students match the machine with the place it belongs.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Snow Day

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders work in small groups to design and build a snow remover while looking at a snow design brief. They combine 2 or more simple machines to form a compound machine following the design brief in order to meet the required...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Activity: Pulley'ing Your Own Weight

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students experiment with common objects such as spools, string and soap to determine how pulleys make it easier to move large objects. They look at the difference between fixed and movable pulleys. They examine the many uses engineers...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inverse (Indirect) Machines

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe relationships between quantities. Students complete activities for three different classes of levers. In groups, students build each type of lever. Students identify levers in their daily surroundings. Students observe...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Move It!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create a simple machine that includes a cart and lever system that could have been used to build the ancient pyramids. In this simple machine lesson, students learn about the wheel and the axle as simple machines that help...
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Lesson Plan
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Build Your Own Robot Arm

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Engineers team up to design and construct an 18-inch-long robotic arm that can successfully pick up a paper cup. Each group is given the exact same set of materials, but it is up to them to decide what to use and how to use it. It is a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Indianapolis 500 Unit-Science

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders access prior knowledge of simple machines to build a car. In this car design lesson, 4th graders create and race their cars.  Students evaluate what was good and bad about their designs. Each car will incorporate a simple...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Junkyard Wars: Air Movers

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Learners study Rube Goldberg machines.  For this investigative lesson students design and build a machine that uses several steps to move an aluminum can.