National Endowment for the Humanities
Empire and Identity in the American Colonies
The American Revolution was born out of a European conflict that spilled over into North America—and the documents prove it! Using primary sources from the era of the French and Indian War, including British plans to try to unite its...
Curated OER
Supersonic Spies
Students analyze a simple machine and use "reverse engineering" to create an exact replica. They interpret incomplete information to build a simple wheel-and-axle machine. Students discuss how building a machine activity correlates to...
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Junkyard Wars: Air Movers
Learners study Rube Goldberg machines. For this investigative lesson students design and build a machine that uses several steps to move an aluminum can.
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The Anti-Gravity Machine
Students examine physics by completing a bicycle experiment in class. In this gravity lesson, students measure the characteristics of different bicycles and compare their different race times. Students utilize a shoebox, pencil, tape,...
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Wheels and Axles 1
Students investigate how and why wheels are used in different types of machines. They work in teams trying to move a heavy box with and without dowels and discuss which way is easier to move the box. Next, they conduct an experiment...
Curated OER
Inverse (Indirect) Machines
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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What's My Rule? Simple Linear Functions
Students investigate simple linear functions by trying to guess a function rule from inputs and outputs. They write the function rule in algebraic form.
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Rain Machine (Solar Still)
Young scholars experiment with a solar still. In this distillation lesson, students find a simple way to use evaporation to make salty water drinkable.
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Finite State Machines
Students observe the programming of a computer. In this technology lesson, students analyze the finite state machine and observe it in motion. This assignment requires the teacher to be specific with the students and the assignment.
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20 Questions: Can You Stump the Machine?
Students use technology to help them think critically. They collect data related to the tool, which asks 20 questions. They discuss how the technology in the machine makes it work.
Curated OER
Make Work Easier!
Pupils work in pairs to design a lever. They conduct experiments using a penny and nickel to explore the uses of a lever.
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Work Made Easy
Second graders maneuver placement of the fulcrum on the lever to see how to lift weight most easily. They role-play as archaeologists with the task of lifting a heavy rock from the dig site. They write in science journals about what...
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Balanced Students
Students investigate the relationships between weights, and construct a balanced first class lever. They formulate a general equation for the relationship explored in the experiment and perform calculations.
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Roll with the Punches: Depression Era Machinery
Students construct models of simple and complicated machines with Legos. Then they design an experiment using the scientific method. ESE modifications included.
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Flight Dreams: Birds Flew First
Students observe how bird flight and machine flight are similar. In this aerodynamics instructional activity, students observe how birds fly and the shapes of their wings, and investigate how observing birds helped develop the concept of...
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Packaging and Transport
Students examine the methods by which food is packaged and transported to their dinner tables. In this packaging and transporting lesson plan, students explore how machines help people grow food. Students also obtain knowledge about how...
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Exploring Basic Physical Science Concepts
Students use the concepts of simple machines to construct a mobile. The inquiry is made in groups and presentations are made by constructing reports. The assessment is based upon the final product of the mobile and how students use...
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The Hand Drill: An Example of a Screw
Learners examine how a screw works as an inclined plane and a hand drill works as a screw. In this physics lesson, students complete two hands-on activities working with simple machines including screws and hand drills. This lesson...
Curated OER
Machines Use Energy
Third graders observe and discuss examples of friction. They discuss what experimentally increases and decreases friction. They then predict which surface will produce the most friction and verify the prediction.
Curated OER
SIMPLE FABRIC FOLDING FOR HALLOWEEN
Study the fabric folding techniques introduced and lead your class in applying them to quiltmaking, home decorating, fashion design, and other sewing projects. This lesson is geared to making items themed for halloween, but could be...
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Three Classes of Levers
Eighth graders research the three classes of levers and create a Power Point presentation showcasing the fulcrum, effort arm, and resistance arm in each class. They then write a paper explaining real life applications of the levers.
NASA
The Wright Quest
A very impressive lesson plan on the Wright brothers and their place in aviation history. Learners discover many fascinating facts about the Wright brothers and their trials and errors regarding flight. Best of all, they get to build a...
Curated OER
Pulley Power
Third graders engage in a manipulative experiment in the mechanical advantage of simple machines. It graphically demonstrates the change in magnitude of applied force when using simple machines. Great for ESL to discover the ratio...
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