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Activity
1
1
Teach Engineering

A Simple Solution for the Circus

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Class members are challenged to design a device that will move a circus elephant into a train car. Groups brainstorm ideas that use simple machines to load the elephant. They then choose one of their ideas, sketch a plan, and present it...
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Lesson Plan
1
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Purdue University

Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd
What's the best way to use a simple machine to solve a real-world problem? Scholars construct their own simple and complex machines to explore the concepts of work and force. They discuss examples of simple machines they have found in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Introduction to Simple Machines

For Teachers K - 1st
Students investigate simple machines and their uses in everyday life.  In this scientific method lesson, students examine physical tools such as wedges, screws, and levers using a "how does it work" approach.  Students complete...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students are introduced to a scenario: a ramshackle house is in need of repair. The roof leaks, the refrigerator is broken, it needs paint, etc. They are explained that in order to repair the home, students must use tools. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate and explain simple machines and their uses. Key concepts include: lever, screw, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, and wedge.
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Teach Engineering

Not So Simple

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Compound machines, nothing more than a combination of simple machines working together, are the focus of an activity that asks class members to use the provided information to take a look at the way innovators combine simple machines to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Brown Paper Bag Simple Machine

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners explore simple machines.  In this simple machines science lesson, students work with a partner to identify what kind of simple machine is represented by a variety of household objects placed in paper bags.  Learners write down...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Watch It Slide!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students work together to examine inclined planes. They create a plan to raise rocks to build pyramids. They discover the changes that occur when the angle is increased or decreased.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Simple Machines or Are They?

For Students 2nd - 4th
In this science worksheet, students examine and discuss ten examples of simple machines to understand how they work and then color them.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Household Tools

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore parts of a system. In this simple machines lesson plan, students discover that simple machines are composed of two or more systems. Students examine household tools and assess the parts of the system.
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Levers and Pulleys and Gears, Oh My!

For Teachers 2nd
Students explore the difference between compound and simple machines in this six lessons of this unit. The purpose and importance of a variety of types of simple machines and the effects of friction are investigated.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines or Are They?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students discover basic machines and how they make completing work easier. They identify two basic machines, the inclined plane and the lever and the functions of these simple machines.
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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

The Physics of Tools

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the nature and work of simple tools and mechanics. They explain how each simple machine can be used in real world applications. They explore levers, balance beams, windlasses, wedges, gears, ocarinas, harmonicas,...
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PPT
Curated OER

ChalkBoard Challenge

For Teachers 5th - 7th
This is a nicely designed jeopardy game with the categories animals, space, rocks, simple machines, and weather available for 5 values. There are some non-essential sound effects included.  The links work and you can return to the main...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 8th
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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Worksheet
Curated OER

Simple Machines Word Search

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this simple machines worksheet, students analyze 10 words in a word bank that pertain to simple machines. Students find these words in a word search puzzle.
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Lesson Plan
Chandler Unified School District

Art Masterpiece—Leonardo da Vinci Inventions

For Teachers 6th
After getting to know the inventor, Leonardo da Vinci and his many inventions, scholars think up their own invention. Following a written description and a hand-drawn picture, learners use a method of mirror writing and antiquing to give...
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Activity
2
2
Teach Engineering

The Magician's Catapult

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
Class members work in pairs to build a catapult to launch a grape a given distance. The catapult project, a compound machine, reinforces pupils' understanding of simple machines.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple/Complex Machines

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students make a simple machine. For this physics lesson, students learn about six types of simple machines and the purpose of each and brainstorm examples of simple and complex machines in the classroom. Students create a simple or...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roll with the Punches: Depression Era Machinery

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Leprechaun Traps Using Simple Machines

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Are you looking for a fun way to incorporate St. Patrick's Day into your science curriculum? Try designing and building leprechaun traps!
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Simple Machines Challenge

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this simple machines facts worksheet, students respond to 6 multiple choice questions that require them to exhibit what they know about simple machines.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Simple Machines Alphabet Activity

For Students 2nd - 3rd
In this simple machines worksheet, students put the names of simple machines in alphabetical order. Students put 6 names of simple machines in alphabetical order.