Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Potential Energy: How Is It Related to Kinetic Energy
After creating three different ramps with various heights, students will release toy cars from the tops of each ramp. Based on the elementary age level, students will collect data and analyze it.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Simple Machines and How to Use This Tutorial
There are six simple machines. They are as follows: lever, wheel, pulley, incline plane, wedge, and screw. This tutorial will cover the first three.
Curated OER
Zona Land: Mechanics and Vectors
An exceptional tutorial on the topic of vectors that offers many helpful graphics, some of which are interactive.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Reporters: Simple Machines: The Wedge
Scholastic provides an in-depth explanation to a simple-machine concept here as The Wedge. Also provides a picture and several examples for understanding.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Simple Machines
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] What a machine is, the three ways that machines make work easier and simple and compound machines.
NASA
Nasa: Vectors
This site from NASA provides an excellent tutorial on vectors and their use in physics to describe the motion of objects. Vector addition and resolution are illustrated.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Ruff Ruffman Show: Ups and Downs
Explore sports science and build a ramp that will roll a ball right to the target.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Simple Machines (Grades 1 To12)
In this lesson plan learners start by trying to open a paint can with their bare hands. Eventually, they will use a lever to open it. Various activities are used to enforce different simple machines.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Normal Force: Lesson 1
This lesson introduces the concept of normal forces. It is 1 of 2 in the series titled "Normal Force."
Scholastic
Scholastic: Dirtmeister's Science Reporters: Simple Machines: The Screw
Scholastic provides an in-depth description here of a simple machine called The Screw. Also provides a picture and several examples for understanding.
NASA
Nasa: The Screw
In this lesson plan students learn how to make a screw and compare how many turns it takes for different screws to embed into a piece of wood.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Simple Machines: Lesson 2
This lesson will introduce the six types of simple machines and show how machines can increase efficiency by reducing work input needed. It is 2 of 2 in the series titled "Simple Machines."
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Simple Machines: Lesson 1
This lesson will introduce the six types of simple machines and show how machines can increase efficiency by reducing work input needed. It is 1 of 2 in the series titled "Simple Machines."
Google
Google for Education: Modeling Pendulums Using Computational Thinking
In this demonstration, students learn how to use computational thinking to discover the laws which govern a pendulum's swing.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Simple Machines Quiz
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart consists of a humorous quiz on identifying simple machines and forces of motion such as gravity and inertia.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Simple Machines Learning Site
Simple descriptions and drawings of simple machines. Click on each image for a further explanation and examples.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Simple Machines for Kids
Gives short descriptions of the six types of simple machines.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Guide to Mechanical Weathering and Its Major Types
Describes the different types of mechanical weathering and how each of them breaks down rocks.
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Lab Activity, Rotational Inertia
A lab activity in which students observe the rolling of objects along an inclined plane. The the rotational inertia of the objects are compared based upon their acceleration along the incline. Directions and assessment ideas are given.
Curated OER
Integrated Publishing: Applications of the Screw
Describes common uses of the screw, including its relationship the the inclined plane and mechanical advantage.
Curated OER
Integrated Publishing: Applications of the Screw
Describes common uses of the screw, including its relationship the the inclined plane and mechanical advantage.
Curated OER
Integrated Publishing/the Screw
A full and complete discussion of the simple machine called the screw, a modified inclined plane. Many examples and drawings and applications.
NASA
Nasa: Simple Machines
A lesson plan site that contains activities designed to give grades 3 and 4 experiences in using simple machines.
University of Virginia
Uva Physics: Using Vectors to Describe Motion
Background information on vectors and their use in describing motion in two dimensions. A comparison of Aristotle's and Galileo's perspectives on force and motion is given.