STEM-Maker
Curriculum
Turn Any Space Into a STEM Lab
Levers
Simple Machines
A STEM-Maker Level 1 Lesson for System Fluency
Educational Objectives
After this lesson, students should be able to understand and apply the
following concepts:
Basic elements of a lever
Differentiate between first, second, and third class levers
Calculate mechanical advantage
Construct a model first class lever
Conduct an authentic assessment of
mathematical predictions and calculations
Intrinsic value of levers and the
ability to transfer that knowledge
to future applications and solutions
Education Standards
Next Generation Science Standards
Common Core Standards
Standards for Technological Literacy
3-5-ETS1-1
3-5-ETS1-2
3-5-ETS1-3
W.5.7
W.5.9
MP.2
MP.4
2.K-2
8.K-2
9.K-2
10.K-2
MS-ETS1-1
MS-ETS1-2
MS-ETS1-3
MS-ETS1-4
HS-ETS1-1
HS-ETS1-2
HS-ETS1-3
HS-ETS1-4
RST.6-8.1
RST.6-8.7
RST.11-12.8
MP.5
WHST.6-8.9
RST.11-12.7
RST.11-12.9
SL.8.5
2.3-5
8.3-5
9.3-5
10.3-5
2.6-8
8.6-8
9.6-8
10.6-8
2.9-12
8.9-12
9.9-12
10.9-12
Welcome
From basic STEM literacies to 3D solid modeling, Rokenbok STEM-MAKER curriculum was created
to help you teach technology, engineering, and design in almost any setting. Rokenbok’s STEMMaker Curriculum guides fun and engaging hands-on project based challenges, and models the
progression of fluencies mastered by real designers and engineers. Lesson plans are categorized
in three progressive levels for grades 3-12 and align with NGSS and common core state standards.
Progression through these levels builds confidence, a sense of accomplishment setting the
groundwork for a love of learning, creating and making.
System Fluency
Creative Fluency
Engineering Fluency
Step-by-step, single-solution
projects introduce Rokenbok
materials and how the
system works.
Realistic design briefs
challenge the student to
solve a problem basedon the
skills learned in Level 1. Students
add their own design creativity
to solve a problem using the
Rokenbok system.
A more advanced design brief
challenges students to design
and build custom parts to
complete a project. Students
use the Rokenbok Open
Source Library and 3D solid
modeling software to adapt
and create their own parts
and tools.
Table of Contents
Level 1 Simple Machines: The Lever
Introduction
Introduction ............................................................................................................................
Key Terms ..............................................................................................................................
Additional Resources ..............................................................................................................
Building Basics ......................................................................................................................
Technology and Engineering
Building a Lever .....................................................................................................................
Science Concepts
What is a Lever? ......................................................................................................................
Classes of Levers ....................................................................................................................
Math Concepts
Calculating Mechanical Advantage ...........................................................................................
STEM Challenges
Building a Balance Beam Scale .. ..............................................................................................
Building a Scissor Arm .............................................................................................................
Assessment
What Have We Learned? .........................................................................................................
1
1
1
2
3-4
5
5
6
7
7
8
Introduction
Introduction
This Level 1 project is designed to introduce your students to one of the six simple machines,
the lever. Students will learn how levers work by making their own lever system, applying the
mathematics behind a lever, as well as learning key terms related to the subject matter.
Key Terms
Lever:
A rigid bar resting on a pivot, used to help move a heavy or firmly
fixed load with one end when pressure is applied to the other.
Simple Machine:
A device that transmits or modifies force or motion.
Effort:
Force used to move an object over a distance.
Resistance/Mass:
Force to overcome, object to be moved, otherwise known as load.
Fulcrum:
The pivot point of a lever that helps create mechanical advantage.
Mechanical
Advantage:
The advantage gained by the use of a mechanism in
transmitting force.
Additional Resources
http://scienceforkids.kidipede.com/physics/machines/lever.htm
www.enchantedlearning.com/physics/machines/Levers.shtml
http://iqa.evergreenps.org/science/phy_science/ma.html
1
Building Basics with Rokenbok
You will be using the Rokenbok Education ROK Ed Rover or SnapStack Module for
this project.
Snapping:
Rokenbok building components snap together for
a snug fit. It is easier to snap pieces together by
angling the beam into the block.
Snapping
Bracing:
Use braces to strengthen any Rokenbok build.
Girders, 2-way braces, 3-way braces, and
corbels are all commonly used for this purpose.
Bracing
Disassemble:
Always use the Rokenbok key tool when taking apart
pieces. Insert the tab on the key into the engineered
slot on each piece and twist slightly. This will protect
your fingers and minimize broken pieces.
Disassemble
Take Inventory:
It is recommended to take inventory of all components at the end of each build and
a complete check at the end of the school year. Replacement pieces can be found
online at Rokenbok.com/Education
Component Care:
All building components should be cleaned regularly with a mild detergent and water.
2
Technology & Engineering
Building a Lever
Follow the step-by-step instructions to build a lever.
Bill of Materials
Makes one lever.
9x
2x
4x
1
Build the Base
2
Build the Fulcrum
8x
4x
4x
9x
3
Technology & Engineering
Building a Lever
Follow the step-by-step instructions to build a first class lever.
3
Build Lever Beam
4
Final Assembly
4
Science Concepts
What is a Lever?
Sometimes we need to lift a heavy object that
is too much to lift with muscles alone.
The mass of the object and the gravitational
force on the object must be overcome in order
to lift the object.
Lever Arm
Load
The lever is a simple machine that is capable
of lifting heavy loads by using mechanical
advantage. Mechanical advantage is achieved
by placing a fulcrum (pivot point) at a location
on the lever arm that requires less effort to
lift the object than by just using your muscles
alone.
(resistance/
mass)
Fulcrum
Load
(resistance/
mass)
Classes of Levers
Lever Arm
Fulcrum
Second Class Lever
Effort
Third Class Lever
Load
Load
Effort
Lift
There are three classes of levers. First and
second class levers provide mechanical
advantage based on the location of the load,
the fulcrum, and the effort. A third class lever
provides additional force and momentum.
First Class Lever
Effort
Gravity (resistance)
Load
(resistance/mass)
(resistance/mass)
(resistance/mass)
Effort
Fulcrum
Fulcrum
Effort
Fulcrum
Load
(resistance/mass)
Effort
Load
Effort
(resistance/mass)
Fulcrum
Fulcrum
Fulcrum
Effort
Load
(resistance/mass)
5
Math Concepts
Calculating Mechanical Advantage
Mechanical Advantage with a lever is achieved by the positioning of the fulcrum point relative
to each side of the lever. To determine the mechanical advantage for each type of lever, use the
math formulas shown below:
First Class Lever
Second Class Lever
Effort
Third Class Lever
Load
Load
Load
(resistance/mass)
1 Foot
(resistance/mass)
(output)
(resistance/mass)
3 Feet
(input)
25 Feet
(input)
5 Feet
(output)
MA =
Effort
Fulcrum
Fulcrum
Input Distance = 25
=5
Output Distance = 5
With a mechanical advantage
of 5, you could lift 5 times
your mass by sitting on the
25 foot long side.
If you weighed 125 pounds
and sat on the long side
of the fulcrum, how much
weight could you lift?
125 (input) X 5 (MA) = _____
MA =
Effort
Fulcrum
Input Distance = 3
=3
Output Distance = 1
By pushing up from the input
end of the lever with a force
of 50 lbs., you can lift 150
lbs. of load with a mechanical
advantage of 3.
If you pushed up the input
end of the lever with a force
of 20 lbs., how much could
you lift with MA = 3?
Only first class and second
class levers can be used
to create mechanical
advantage.
The third class lever is
used to create additional
momentum because the
load end is a long ways
from the fulcrum point.
20 (input) X 3 (MA) = _____
Load
(resistance/mass)
Effort
Load
Effort
(resistance/mass)
Fulcrum
Fulcrum
Fulcrum
Effort
Load
(resistance/mass)
6
STEM Challenges
What Can You Design?
These STEM Design and Engineering Challenges are designed to introduce you to the lever and how
it can be used to make work easier for many different tasks. Try out one of the STEM Design and
Engineering Challenges below or design your own project using the lever.
Building a Balance Beam Scale
You can use your first class lever to create a
balance scale or move the fulcrum point to test the
math concepts presented in the Math segment.
Building a Scissor Arm
Use your knowledge of the lever to design and
build a scissor arm that will reach out three feet.
Use other components available to enhance your
project’s capabilities.
Other Uses for the Lever
The lever is a very useful simple machine. Not only can the mechanical advantage of a lever be
useful in lifting heavy loads, it can also be used in many other ways. Some of these include:
Transfer of motion from one direction to another direction
Prying actions that allow for lifting or moving an object
Linkage from one simple machine to another
Lever
7
Assessment
What Have We Learned?
1.
What are the two parts of a lever?
a.
load and effort
b.
lever arm and fulcrum
c.
base and axle
d.
fulcrum and load
2.
The wheelbarrow is a good example of which type of lever?
a.
first class lever
b.
second class lever
c.
third class lever
d.
mobile lever
Load
(resistance/mass)
Effort
Fulcrum
3.
Use the information below to determine the
mechanical advantage of the lever.
Load
a.
MA = 2
(resistance/mass)
b.
MA = 3
c.
MA = 4
2 Feet
d.
MA = 16
(output)
Effort
8 Feet
(input)
MA =
Input Distance = ?
=?
Output Distance = ?
MA = ______
Fulcrum
4.
Which type of lever does not use mechanical advantage, but creates additional momentum?
a.
first class lever
b.
second class lever
c.
third class lever
d.
motion lever
5.
Prying a nail from a board using a claw hammer would be an example of what type of lever?
a.
first class lever
b.
second class lever
c.
third class lever
d.
claw lever
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