Spotting Simple Machines
Discover that simple machines are used every day in the world around us.
Big Idea: Simple machines make our everyday life easier
Materials:
- Clipboard
- Paper
- Pencils
Illinois Learning Standards:
4.A Listen effectively in formal and informal situations.
11.A Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.
11.B Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of technological design.
12.D Know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the principles that explain them.
31.A Develop a positive self-concept.
11.A Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.
11.B Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of technological design.
12.D Know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the principles that explain them.
31.A Develop a positive self-concept.
Vocabulary:
Simple Machine: a simple device for altering the magnitude or direction of a force. The six basic types are the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, screw, wedge, and inclined plane
Pulley: a wheel with a grooved rim in which a pulled rope or chain can run to change the
direction of the pull and thereby lift a load.
Incline Plane: a flat surface whose endpoints are at different heights
Wheel and axle: device that allows heavy objects to be moved easily through rotating on an axle through its center
Wedge: a triangular shaped tool that is used to separate two objects or portions of an object, lift an object, or hold an object in place
Pulley: a wheel with a grooved rim in which a pulled rope or chain can run to change the
direction of the pull and thereby lift a load.
Incline Plane: a flat surface whose endpoints are at different heights
Wheel and axle: device that allows heavy objects to be moved easily through rotating on an axle through its center
Wedge: a triangular shaped tool that is used to separate two objects or portions of an object, lift an object, or hold an object in place
Activity Directions:
- Discuss one type of simple machine – for example, the wheel and axel.
- Take a walk around your school and or/playground to look for types of wheels.
- Make observational drawings of the simple machines that you see.
- Repeat this activity with other simple machines.
- Repeat this activity as often as you can; visit the same spot and try to find new simple machines or some that you may have missed, or choose a new location.
Investigation Questions:
Q. What is a wheel?
Q. What is it used for?
Q. How does the wheel work?
Q. What is a pulley?
Q. How many incline planes can we see on the playground?
Exhibit:
Workshop:
