Simple Machines STEM Lesson Grade 2/3
Objectives:
TSW gain a better understanding of what makes up a simple machine
TSW become aware of the simple machines that affect them every day
TSW learn some engineering terminology
TSW learn about the design process and how to solve and current issue by
engineering a simple machine
Standards:
Science 5.2 Physical Science
NETS - 1, 2, 3 & 4
Other content areas include:
Math
Reading
Engineering
Simple Machine Terms:
Pulley
Axle
Lever
Screw
Load
Fulcrum
Leverage
Wheel
Gears
Inclined Plane
Wedge
Effort
Friction
Bearing
Materials Needed:
iPads or computer access
Book - “How Do You Lift a Lion” by Robert E. Wells
Internet Access - Websites:
http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/frame_loader.htm
http://www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Wikijunior:How_Things_Work/The_Six_Simple_Machines
Simple Machines STEM Lesson Grade 2/3
Procedure:
Day 1:
Students will Read
“How Do You Lift a Lion” by Robert E. Wells
or
• Create a photo slideshow file or eBook of the story (photograph pages)
• Then download the file to the iPads
• Students can then read on their own
or
• Post to your eBoard as a Homework assignment (Flipped Classroom
Concept)
• If students do not have computer access, you can give them a copy of the
book.
In Class - Day 2
• Ask students about the story.
• Put students into small groups with materials and a plastic lion
• Using what they learned from the story, students will try to create a way to
lift the lion
• HW - Go to website - http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/
frame_loader.htm
In Class - Day 3
Same Groups - Regroup and try new way to lift the lion
HW - Review - go to websites - http://www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm
and http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Wikijunior:How_Things_Work/
The_Six_Simple_Machines
Complete worksheet
Simple Machines STEM Lesson Grade 2/3
In class - Day 4
Review worksheet.
Students will design a simple machine to solve a current problem using
Lego’s Simple Machine kit.
In Class - Day 5
Students build simple machine from designs.
Simple Machines STEM Lesson Grade 2/3
Name _______________________________
Quiz
1. A fork is an example of a:
A. pulley
B. wedge
C. wheel and axle
2. A bicycle is an example of a:
A. wheel and axle
B. wedge
C. lever
3. A slide is an example of a/an:
A. pulley
B. screw
C. inclined plane
4. A swivel chair is an example of a:
A. lever
B. screw
C. wedge
5. A teeter totter on the playground is a:
A. lever
B. inclined plane
C. pulley
Date ____________
Simple Machines STEM Lesson Grade 2/3
6. You would use a pulley to:
A. cut food
B. hold pieces of wood together
C. help open and close venetian blinds
7. A wheel:
A. helps people eat
B. helps move heavy objects
C. lifts objects to high location
8. To raise a flag high on a flagpole, you would need a:
A. pulley
B. wedge
C. screw
9. This simple machine uses a human body part as its fulcrum:
A. scissors
B. stairs
C. rake
10. What is a simple machine? ___________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Simple Machines STEM Lesson Grade 2/3
Name _______________________________
Quiz
1. A fork is an example of a:
A. pulley
B. wedge
C. wheel and axle
2. A bicycle is an example of a:
A. wheel and axle
B. wedge
C. lever
3. A slide is an example of a/an:
A. pulley
B. screw
C. inclined plane
4. A swivel chair is an example of a:
A. lever
B. screw
C. wedge
5. A teeter totter on the playground is a:
A. lever
B. inclined plane
C. pulley
Date ____________
Simple Machines STEM Lesson Grade 2/3
6. You would use a pulley to:
A. cut food
B. hold pieces of wood together
C. help open and close venetian blinds
7. A wheel:
A. helps people eat
B. helps move heavy objects
C. lifts objects to high location
8. To raise a flag high on a flagpole, you would need a:
A. pulley
B. wedge
C. screw
9. This simple machine uses a human body part as its fulcrum
A. scissors
B. stairs
C. rake
10. What is a simple machine?
a simple device for altering the strength or direction of a force
Simple Machines STEM Lesson Grade 2/3
Worksheet A
Name _______________________________ Date ____________
Identify all of the levers with an L.
Identify all of the pulleys with a P.
Identify all of the wedges with a W.
Identify all of the wheels with an O.
Identify all of the Inclines with an I .
Identify all of the screws with a S.
If it is not a simple machine, identify with an X.
___ roller coaster
____ winch
____ baseball bat
____ floor nail
____ record player
____ submarine hatch
____ scissors
____ toilet flusher
____ spatula
____ steam shovel
____ egg beater
____ pins
____ stapler
____ tile
____ window blinds
____ hoe
____ shark tooth
____ ladders
____ drills
____ rolling pin
____ door knobs
____ swivel stool
____ plate
____ rock climber
equipment
____ knitting needles
____ allows rope to
____ pencil sharpener pull up flag
____ candle
____ stairs
____ casters
____ rake
____ fan
____ spoon
____ chisels
Simple Machines STEM Lesson Grade 2/3
Worksheet A Answers
Name _______________________________ Date ____________
Identify all of the levers with an L.
Identify all of the pulleys with a P.
Identify all of the wedges with a W.
Identify all of the wheels with an O.
Identify all of the Inclines with an I .
Identify all of the screws with a S.
If it is not a simple machine, identify with an X.
I
P
winch
L
baseball bat
W floor nail
O
record player
S
submarine hatch
L scissors
L
toilet flusher
L
spatula
P steam shovel
O
egg beater
W
pins
L stapler
X
tile
X
candle
P window blinds
L
hoe
I
stairs
W shark tooth
I
ladders
casters
S drills
O rolling pin
O
O door knobs
S
L
rake
X plate
P rock climber
equipment
O
fan
L
spoon
W
chisels
roller coaster
W knitting needles
O pencil sharpener
swivel stool
P allows rope to
pull up flag
Simple Machines STEM Lesson Grade 2/3
Terminology Worksheet
Name _______________________________ Date ____________
Draw a line from the term to the correct picture.
Pulley
Axle
Lever
Screw
Load
Fulcrum
Simple Machines STEM Lesson Grade 2/3
Name _______________________________ Date____________
Draw a line from the term to the correct picture.
Wedge
Inclined
Plane
Gears
Wheel
Simple Machines STEM Lesson Grade 2/3