Simple Machines Project
(Circle One)
Duo
Trio
Quatro
3 different simple machines
3 different simple machines
4 different simple machines
≥ 4 total S.M.
≥ 5 total S.M.
≥ 6 total S.M.
Name(s):
Requirements/Restrictions
 Compound Machine must incorporate the number of simple machines stated above
 Compound machine base must be no larger than 15” x 15” with no height limit
 Compound machine must begin with a marble rolling down an inclined plane
o This inclined plane is NOT included in the requirement stated above
 Compound machine must end with a marker marking a piece of paper
o Ending with another task must be approved by Mr. B. first!
 Compound machine may incorporate any materials as long as they are safe
o Materials provided will be:
 Glue
 Tape
 Staples
 String for pulleys
 K-Nex® materials are available for ONE of your simple machines. A sign out sheet will be
provided.
 Completed project includes:
o A working compound machine that completes the above requirements
o A typed lab report as explained below
o A presentation to the class as explained below
Procedure:
Day 1:
 On the provided handout, BRAINSTORM a design to complete the above requirements.
 The handout will include the following:
o What simple machines will be used
o How the simple machines will be used
o A 2 or 3 dimensional drawing showing the step-by-step process
o What materials are needed
DUE at the end of DAY 1: The Plan Handout including:




What simple machines will be used
How the simple machines will be used
A fully labeled, 2 or 3 dimensional drawing, showing the step-by-step process
What materials are needed for the machine and what group member will bring
them to class.
DUE at the beginning of DAY 2: Materials from EACH INVOLVED MEMBER:



A base no larger than 15” x 15” (one member)
Any other building materials as listed from DAY 1’s Requirements
This is a GROUP GRADE, so every member must bring in materials when they
are due for the group to receive full points
Day 2 – Day 4:
 Construction
o Build compound machine using materials listed from day 1
o Test machine for accuracy and correctness
 Lab Report (See Grading Rubric)
Day 5:
Day 6:
o Lab Report Only (See Grading Rubric) No Construction Today
o Laptops or the computer lab will be available for working on the lab report
 Presentation
o A verbal explanation of the compound machine will be given to the class
 The purpose of the machine (job it performs) will be explained
 All simple machines used will be named
 A step-by-step explanation as to how the machine works will be given
o A demonstration of the compound machine will be given to the class
Grading Rubric
Plan Handout
(Due at the End of Day 1)
0 (Not Turned in
Ever) 
0 (No Materials
Brought in Ever)

10  (Turned in one day LATE
or MISSING some information)
5  (Turned in two or more days
LATE or mostly incomplete)
10  (One Member Missing
Materials)
5  (Two or More Members
Missing Materials)
Presentation
15  (The following is
presented: purpose of the
machine (job it performs), all
simple machines named, and a
step-by-step explanation as to
how the machine works. Is
easy to hear, is well rehearsed,
and all members have a part)
10  (Missing one of the
following in the presentation:
purpose of the machine (job it
performs), all simple machines
named, and a step-by-step
explanation as to how the
machine works. Is easy to hear, is
well rehearsed, and all members
have a part)
5  (Missing two or more of the
following in the presentation:
purpose of the machine (job it
performs), all simple machines
named, and a step-by-step
explanation as to how the machine
works. Is easy to hear, is well
rehearsed, and all members have
a part)
0  (No
presentation
given)
Design
20  (Machine works on its
own without assistance, and is
built similar to the ‘day 1 plan’)
15  (Missing one of the
following: Machine works on its
own without assistance, is built
similar to the ‘day 1 plan’)
10  (Does not work without
MAJOR help or is not built similar
to the ‘day 1 plan’ )
5  (Does not
work without
MAJOR help AND
is not built similar
to the design)
Materials
(Due at the Beginning of Day 2)
15  (Turned in ON TIME with
ALL of the sections filled in)
15  (All Members Have
Materials at the Beginning of
Day 2)
0  (No
Machine
Available to
Test)
Lab report
Topic
5 points
3 points
1 point
0 points
Reflects the purpose of the lab
but is missing one or both
variables.
Does not accurately reflect the
purpose of the lab.
Not
Present
Completely reflects the purpose
of the lab and includes mention
of both independent and
dependent variables.
Organized, bulleted list.
Includes all materials needed
for the project. Specifics, such
as quantities or sizes.
Paragraph is of supreme quality
and clearly explains the
process of how the machine
works. 0-1 pronouns present.
List is missing one of the
following: organization; bullets; all
necessary materials; specifics.
List is missing two or more of the
following: organization; bullets; all
necessary materials; specifics.
Not
Present
Paragraph is of standard quality
or unclearly explains the process
of how the machine works, or 2 or
more pronouns present.
Paragraph is of poor quality or
does not explain the process of
how the machine works.
Not
Present
Paragraph is of supreme quality
and explains in detail how each
simple machine works in the
compound machine, and how
each simple machine changes
the size or direction of a force.
0-1 pronouns present.
Paragraph is of standard quality
or is missing one of the following:
a detailed explanation of how
each simple machine works, how
each simple machine changes the
size or direction of a force, or 2 or
more pronouns present.
Paragraph is of poor quality or is
missing two or more of the
following: a detailed explanation of
how each simple machine works,
how each simple machine
changes the size or direction of a
force.
Not
Present
Paragraph 3: Unplanned Variables
Paragraph is of supreme quality
and discusses all unplanned
variables that occurred
throughout the experiment and
mentions when they occurred,
and what was done to
overcome them. 0-1 pronouns
present.
Paragraph is of standard quality
or missing one of the following: all
unplanned variables mentioned,
when they occurred, or what was
done to overcome them, or 2 or
more pronouns present.
Paragraph is of poor quality or is
missing two or more of the
following: all unplanned variables
mentioned, when they occurred, or
what was done to overcome them.
Not
Present
Paragraph 4: Compound Machine Research:
Research and explain any machine made up
of more than one simple machine (compound
machine)
Paragraph is of supreme quality
and fully explains the
researched compound
machine; what it does, how it
works, and the purpose of each
included simple machine. 0-1
pronouns present.
Paragraph is of standard quality
or is missing one of the following:
a full explanation of the
researched compound machine;
what it does, how it works, and
the purpose of each included
simple machine. 2 or more
pronouns present.
Paragraph is of poor quality or is
missing two or more of the
following: a full explanation of the
researched compound machine;
what it does, how it works, and the
purpose of each included simple
machine. 2 or more pronouns
present.
Not
Present
Paragraph 5: opinions
Paragraph is of supreme quality
and discusses any personal
feelings about the project. Any
opinions are acceptable as long
as they are justified with an
explanation. Each group
member should have his or her
own section.
Paragraph is of standard quality
or is missing one of the following:
each opinion is justified, or a
section for each group member.
Paragraph is of poor quality or is
missing two or more of the
following: each opinion is justified,
or a section for each group
member.
Not
Present
Title
Materials list
Paragraph 1: Easy to understand step-bystep process of how the machine works: (As
the marble rolls down the ramp, it runs into a
domino. This domino tips over and…)
Paragraph 2: Detailed scientific step-by-step
of process of how each simple machine
works in the compound machine: (As the
marble is placed on the first inclined plane,
the force of gravity, along with the downward
slope of the inclined plane, caused the
marble to increase speed. When the marble
collided with the domino, the domino acted as
a lever. The purpose of this lever…)
Total Points Earned:
/ 100
Plan Handout
Due: ___________________________
Name(s):
Purpose of the Machine (Job it Performs):
Marking a piece of paper with a marker
Your Choice #1: _______________________________ Mr. B’s Initials: _____
Your Choice #2: _______________________________ Mr. B’s Initials: _____
Simple Machines Included:
Group Size Simple Machines Used
2
2
3
3
2
3
4 #1:
4 #2:
4 #3:
2
3
4 #4:
3
#5:
4
#6:
Specific Purpose of Simple Machine
Extra #1:
Materials:
Group Member: _____________________ Materials Bringing In: _______________________________________________________________________
Group Member: _____________________ Materials Bringing In: _______________________________________________________________________
Group Member: _____________________ Materials Bringing In: _______________________________________________________________________
Group Member: _____________________ Materials Bringing In: _______________________________________________________________________
Picture:
(2 or 3 dimensional drawing showing the step-by-step process of the working machine. All simple machines are labeled, and it is easy to understand.)