Curated OER
Pulleys and Gears
Students analyze an engineering problem. They contrast paper and pencil mastery of concepts with hands-on mastery. They present their design and rationale behind it, whether it works or not.
Curated OER
Simple Machines
In this physics activity, middle schoolers use the clues given on the sheet to complete the crossword puzzle on simple machines. There are 18 clues to solve in the puzzle.
It's About Time
Sounds in Strings
How many of your pupils play an instrument? A musical science lesson will help all of them understand how string instruments work. Young scientists construct a string-and-pulley system to test frequency and pitch. The lesson ends with a...
Curated OER
Simple Machines IV - Levers
The lever is an everyday simple machine. Youngsters learn the principles of levers and explore their many uses. Groups of pupils perform a simple lab where they lift objects with a fulcrum while placing the load in a variety of...
Curated OER
Friction and Inclined Planes
Teaching about inclined planes may seem like an uphill battle, but there's a straightforward way to do it. An Honors Physics presentation covers static and kinetic friction, the forces of friction, and inclines. Additionally, it includes...
Curated OER
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Machines
Designed for a lower elementary school classroom, this presentation on simple machines is a wonderful way to introduce this topic. The resource begins by identifying and defining the six types of simple machines, and then goes on to...
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Farming in the 1930's
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".
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Students explore the concepts of force and effort by observing simple machines. In this physics lesson, students attempt to sharpen a pencil without any help, bite into an orange with their lips curled over their teeth, and other...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Learners create a pyramid design based on the 6 simple machines that they are introduced to. In this simple machines lesson plan, students are introduced to the wedge, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw, and pulley.
Mr. E. Science
Work and Machines
What would you be if you were attached to another object by an inclined plane wrapped helically around an axis? In this fourth presentation that covers work and simple machines, young physicists look at Newtons and Joules as well as...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Technology (KA) Pre Lab
Students explore tools. In this tool lesson, students see how tools and machines were invented to help people work easier. They see different types of simple machines such as wheel and axle, lever, and wedge.
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Physics 240: Harmonic Waves
In this harmonic waves worksheet, students review the characteristics of harmonic traveling waves by solving 5 different problems.
Curated OER
Matching Types of Simple Machines
In this matching types of simple machines worksheet, 5th graders read the definition and examples of simple machines, then match 10 pictures of devices with 4 categories.
Teach Engineering
The Advantage of Machines
Show your students how to make their work easier. The first instructional activity in a series of 10 introduces the class to work and the way simple machines can be make work easier. The simple machines scholars can find in everyday...
Curated OER
Simple Machines
Eighth graders work together in groups to introduce themselves to the six types of simple machines. They are to record what the machine does, its mechanical advantage and identify real world situations in which they are used. They...
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Stop Pulling My Bot Around!
Students investigate the relationship between work and mechanical advantage. In this physics lesson plan, students calculate the work and efficiency of pulleys. They identify the different types of pulleys.
Curated OER
Robotic Muscles
Students investigate how adding more pulleys affect the pulling power. In this physics lesson, students explain how pulleys work. They compare the work done by robots with and without pulleys.
Curated OER
Machinery In Society
Students explore technology by completing a worksheet in class. In this common machinery instructional activity, students define the different designs that make simple machines work such as wheels, pulleys and gears. Students utilize...
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Simple Machines
Students research simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, students explore the many types of simple machines such as the lever, pulley, and screw. Students discover simple machines in the classroom.
Curated OER
Simple Machine Research
Fifth graders demonstrate the ability to use scientific skills and Processes to describe forces that act upon objects to cause specific changes in motion. They identify and describe a science problem related to forces and simple machines.
Curated OER
The Bricklayer's Lesson in Physics
Students read a simulated report, written to an insurance company as explanation for a claim of medical benefits. They list the collisions that resulted in the injuries, and identify the forces involved which caused the injury.
Curated OER
Properties of Matter (Biomaterial Through Nanotechnology)
Students investigate friction between different surfaces. In this physics instructional activity, students research biomaterials that can reduce friction. They calculate efficiency using a mathematical formula.
Curated OER
Inventor's Workshop
Students explore the six simple machines that are the basis for all mechanical devices. In this physics lesson, students choose one simple machine to research and then find a complex machine it is apart of. Students examine Leonardo...
Curated OER
Van de Graaff Generator
Students explore static electricity using the Van de Graaff generator. In this physics instructional activity, students construct their own Van de Graaff using simple materials. They explain how charges accumulate on this device.