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Lesson Plan
NASA

The Wright Quest

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
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...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Science-- "Moving the World?"- Learning About Levers

For Students 4th - 5th
In this levers worksheet, students read a one page information text about the three classes of levers. Students then analyze 10 pictures of simple machines and circle the fulcrum point. Students classify each machine according to the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Properties of Matter in the Preschool

For Teachers Pre-K
Students study the properties of the physical and natural world. In this properties of the physical and natural world instructional activity, preschool students work at discovery tables to see how simple machines work, what happens when...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Break It Down!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the everyday implications of system failure. They are challenged to identify the causes of system failure.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Invention

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create an invention, or simple machine, out of items taken from the recycling bin. Students draw diagrams of their proposed inventions, then create simple machines.
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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

Van de Graaff Generator

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sparky's Engineer: A Story Book Introduction to Engineering

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate what an engineer does. In this engineering lesson, students read the book "Sparky's Engineer" and analyze the different types of engineers that are referenced in the book. The students identify tools and machines...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Construction Worker Book

For Teachers K
Students examine simple tools that are used in everyday life. For this construction worker tools lesson, students decide which tools should be used to solve the construction worker's problems in a manner that demonstrates the Simple...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inclined Planes

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students break into small groups with each group using 3 books, a board with pulleys attached at both ends, a toy cart, a small paper cup with a long piece of string attached the end and some pennies. They test their guesses to see if it...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We Have Work To Do - Science

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars begin to think of ways to make work easier. They will focus on ways to extend their abilities to lift heavy things. They will identify levers, pulleys, and inclined planes through the examination of concrete objects and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Medieval Catapults

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students design and build a working catapult or trebuchet to explore the concepts of force, motion, and distance.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fire Safety in the Home

For Teachers K
Students discover the importance of fire safety. In this fire prevention lesson, students identify problems in a house that could lead to a fire and draw their own homes that include the appropriate fire prevention tools. The students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forces Applied to an Object

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders predict, observe, and compare what happens when a force is applied to an object. In this forces lesson, 4th graders complete a 'swinging hammer' activity to learn about forces and motion.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Levers

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students brainstorm if they think that any lever would use the same amount of paperclips. They break into small groups and use a data sheet as well as a lever, Lego person, fulcrum, and some paperclips and prove what they think by taking...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Can You Make of It?

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students investigate the various uses of a paper cup. In this scientific inquiry lesson, students investigate various ways to use a paper cup by identifying its characteristics. Students sketch their discovery.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-The Gadget War

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students read The Gadget War by Betsy Duffey. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding inventors and inventions. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library connections.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designing a Safe City Like a Civil Engineer

For Teachers K
Students study civil engineering, safety apparatuses in their city, and design their own city. In this civil engineering activity, students discuss their towns safety apparatuses and define civil engineers. Students then design their own...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Saturday Morning Superhero:

For Teachers K - 1st
Students explore the concept of engineering design. In this engineering design process lesson, students read The Saturday Morning Superhero and discuss the problem solving steps that the main character encounters as he creates a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sparky's Engineer Activity Book

For Teachers K
Students complete their Sparky's Engineer Activity Book. For this engineering lesson, students are guided by their teacher in completing their Sparky's Engineer Activity Book which reviews what engineers make and what tools and materials...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build a Space Shuttle

For Teachers K
Pupils explore the concept of space. In this space lesson plan, students pretend to be aerospace engineers. Pupils build space ships out of cardboard tubes. Students discuss what aerospace engineers do. Pupils model their space ships...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wheel & Axle Tractor

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Young scholars design and build a tractor using LEGO materials. They write and draw their designs.
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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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Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Simple Machines

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Through a five-lesson series with five hands-on activities, students are introduced to six simple machines - inclined plane, wedge, screw, lever, pulley, wheel-and-axle - as well as compound machines, which are combinations of two or...