NAME:
CLASS:
Simple Machine Project
The following website may assist you in researching simple machines:
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/simmach.html
1. MAKE QUICK DRAWINGS OF THESE SIMPLE MACHINES:
Ö Lever
Ö Gears
Ö Pulley
Ö Wheel & Axle
Ö Ramp
Ö Wedge
Ö Screw
2. Simple machines can have 1 part to make 1 job easier, or many
parts that work together to make a complex job easier. In fact,
Rube Goldberg’s simple machines have many parts that make a
simple job more difficult – and funny! (See attached example.)
IMAGINE SIMPLE MACHINES YOU COULD BUILD!
1 part to do 1 job, like a skateboard ramp
2 parts to do 2 jobs, like a hand-truck
3 or more parts to make a complex job easy
(like an egg-beater)
3 or more parts to make a simple job complex
(like a napkin folder)
3. Simple machines can make our world a better place. They can
serve many purposes – to save energy, not pollute, or just to make
us laugh or wonder. Look at what one student did!
This is a student-built Rube Goldberg
20-step machine for the home. The
objective of this machine was to
prepare a bowl of cereal for breakfast.
This machine worked so well, that it
was used by the student’s family to
prepare bowls of Fruit Loops for weeks.
Think of what purpose you want your simple machine to serve in
our world. Then, after you learn more about each kind of simple
machine, use this sheet to plan your ideas carefully.
PLAN YOUR PROJECT!
Make 3 small, 1 minute sketches of different ideas you could try here
Now pick 1 idea, and make a bigger, 10 minute drawing of your project on a
full sheet of paper. Use a ruler and pencil so you can erase mistakes!
4.
Use your 10 minute drawing to create your final
architect’s drawing. Your final architect’s drawing is called a
blue print. It can include arrows to show moving parts,
and/or words to explain each step. Make sure the final blue
print for your simple machine has at least 3 different simple
machine parts – see the list on page 1.
5.
Make a list of the materials/parts you will need to build a
model of your simple machine. You may purchase supplies
or use recycled materials to build your model. Please
keep safety in mind when choosing supplies for your
model; no sharp, rusty or dangerous items may be used.
6.
Gather your materials and use your blue print to build a
model of your simple machine. The machine should run
without error & do the job it was designed to do. Make
sure you try your machine several times before you turn
it in to make sure it is functioning properly.
7.
Present your project to your teacher. This includes
simply explaining your simple machine to your teacher and
demonstrating how it works. (Some time later in the first
six weeks you will be expected to prepare a formal
presentation of your simple machine to present to your
class and possibly to other 7th grade science classes. This
will be a separate assignment for a separate grade. You
will be given more information on this assignment at a
later date.)
8.
Complete the following rubric to tell the teacher how
well you think you performed on this project:
Simple Machine Project: Grade Yourself
Exceeds
My Tasks
Expectations
80% or more
Draft Ideas
Completed
sheet with 3
(Brainstorm sheet or more good
ideas
& drawings)
Blue Print
Big drawing
shows 3 or
Drawing
more parts,
details & all
(Final draft of
steps
project)
Model of:
Runs without
error &
achieves
(What I built)
purpose
Showed &
Presentation
to: teacher
explained
project
clearly
Meets
Expectations
65% or more
Doesn’t Meet
Expectations
64% or less
Grade I
Should Get
1. Three things I think I did well are:
2. Three things I could have done differently are:
3. Overall, my final grade should be (circle one) A B C+ C C- D F
because:
9. Turn in your completed project including the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
this completed packet
your “10 minute drawing” of your simple machine
final blue print of your simple machine
materials list
properly functioning model of your simple machine
Pleasanton Jr. High
7th Grade Science Summer PreAP Project
Attached is your summer PreAP Project for Science. Your task is
to develop and build a simple machine. The project is due the
first day of school and must be complete and ready to present to
your teacher at that time.
Any student who fails to complete the project by the first day of
school will be dropped from the PreAP science class and moved to
a regular 7th grade science class.
If you have any questions over the summer regarding your project you may
email Mrs. Myrin at [email protected]
Have fun with it! We look forward to meeting you this fall and seeing all the
wonderful simple machines you have created!