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Synopsis
Students in grades 5 through 8 join Disney Imagineer Asa Kalama on a ride into the world
of imagination, inspiration, and science—the science of simple machines. Asa travels to
Disney’s theme parks to show students how Disney Imagineers put gravity to work as
they design and build amazing attractions, such as Soarin’Over California, the Enchanted
Tiki Room, and Catastrophe Canyon. In this Educator’s Guide, you’ll find activity ideas that
allow students to apply what they’ve learned about levers and pulleys.
Program Objectives and Standards
The Science of Disney Imagineering: Levers and Pulleys addresses the following
objectives and standards:
Students will be able to:
• Explain that levers and pulleys are simple machines.
• Explain that levers and pulleys make work easier by either multiplying or
redirecting the effort we put into them.They don’t change the amount of work.
• Identify the two forces involved in using a machine: effort force (force applied
to the machine) and resistance force (force applied by the machine).
• Define mechanical advantage as the number of times a machine multiplies
effort force.
• Calculate mechanical advantage, given effort and resistance.
• Describe the relationship between the location of a lever’s fulcrum, mechanical
advantage, and the amount of effort needed to lift something.
Science Standards Addressed (NSTA)
Grade
Concepts and Principles
Content Standard
5-8
Physical Science:
Motions and Forces
• If more than one force acts on an object along a straight line, then the forces will reinforce or
cancel one another, depending on their direction and magnitude. Unbalanced forces will cause
changes in the speed or direction of an object’s motion.
5-8
Science in Personal and
Social Perspectives:
Science and Technology
in Society
• Scientists and engineers work in many different settings, including colleges and universities,
businesses and industries, specific research institutes, and government agencies.
5-8
History and Nature
of Science:
Science as a Human
Endeavor
• Women and men of various social and ethnic backgrounds--and with diverse interests, talents,
qualities, and motivations--engage in the activities of science, engineering, and related fields
such as the health professions. Some scientists work in teams, and some work alone, but all
communicate extensively with others.
• Science requires different abilities, depending on such factors as the field of study and type of
inquiry. Science is very much a human endeavor, and the work of science relies on basic
human qualities, such as reasoning, insight, energy, skill, and creativity--as well as on scientific
habits of mind, such as intellectual honesty, tolerance of ambiguity, skepticism, and openness
to new ideas.
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EDUCATOR’S GUIDE PAGE 1
Preview Questions
1.What do you think of when you hear the word ‘machine.’
2.What is a lever? What is a pulley?
3. Have you ever used a lever or a pulley to help you do something
difficult? How do you think it helped?
4.What are some examples of levers in everyday life?
Postviewing Questions
1. In what two ways can a simple machine make work easier?
2.What is mechanical advantage?
3. How is your arm like a lever?
4.What is the trade-off involved in using a simple machine?
Suggested Classroom Activities
Classy Levers
Divide students into groups to investigate the three classes of levers: first
class, second class, and third class. Have each group create these different
classes of levers using building blocks.
Other Simple Machines
Have students work in teams to research the other simple machines: wheel
and axle, inclined plane, wedge, and screw. Assign each group one of these
simple machines and have them present their findings to the class.
A Complicated Contraption
Rube Goldberg™ was a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, sculptor, and author
who is best known for his cartoons depicting complicated machines designed
to accomplish simple tasks. Have students do research to find out about him.
Provide some of his cartoons for students to explore.Then have them make a
drawing of their own complicated machine. Helpful resources for this activity
include the Rube Goldberg™ website http://rubegoldberg.com/ and PBS Kids
http://pbskids.org/zoom/games/goldburgertogo/realworld.html
Mobile Mania
A mobile is a series of levers in equilibrium. Have students analyze the mobiles
of sculptor Alexander Calder
http://www.sfmoma.org/espace/calder/calder_intro.html
Then ask them to apply their understanding of levers by balancing objects of
different sizes and weights on their own mobile. Ask students to make careful
observations of the variables involved: fulcrum, length of the strings, and
weight of the loads. Have them keep notes on the changes they make and the
effect of those changes. Afterward, ask the following questions:
• What was challenging about balancing objects on the mobile?
• What did you notice when you changed the fulcrum? The string length?
The load weight?
• What conclusions can you draw about balancing objects on a mobile?
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EDUCATOR’S GUIDE PAGE 2
I am a Simple Machine
Have students write a journal entry from the point of view of a simple
machine.
They might answer the following questions:
• What function do I serve? In what ways do I make work easier?
• What are some examples of me in everyday life?
• What is an example of my mechanical advantage?
A Lever and Pulley Story
A story is the foundation of every Disney attraction.The technology and
design all support the story.Work as a team to come up with a great story for
a new attraction that uses levers and pulleys. Create a visual presentation of
your story, including a basic design of the attraction and a description of the
role of these simple machines.When designing your attraction, keep the
following questions in mind:
• Is the concept appealing, interesting, or exciting?
• Does the concept communicate a well thought out story and
theme?
• Are details on how guests would interact with and enjoy the
experience presented?
• Does the concept demonstrate respect and inclusion for a diverse
array of guests?
Hunting for Levers
Go on a scavenger hunt to find levers in your
classroom and at home.Take photos or draw pictures
of each lever you find. Display them on a poster and
label each with the type of lever shown and the
position of the fulcrum, effort, and resistance.
Material List for Try It Yourself: Dirty Laundry Lift-O-Matic
• 2 Single Pulleys
• 2 Carabiners or threaded links
• 14 Feet of cord or thin rope
• 2 Hang-on door hook hangers
• 1 Large bucket or basket with handles
• 1 Load of your stinky, dirty laundry
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EDUCATOR’S GUIDE PAGE 3
Glossary of Terms
fulcrum
re s i s t a n ce fo rce
e f fo r t fo rce
l eve r
t h i rd c l a s s l eve r
p u l l ey
m e c h a n i c a l a d va n t a g e
simple machine
a u d i o a n i m at ro n i c s
a c t u at o r
hyd ra u l i c a c t u at o r
e l e c t r i c s e r vo
The point at which a lever arm pivots.
The force applied by a machine, often equaling the weight of the object being moved.
The force applied to a machine.
A bar that pivots a fulcrum when effort force is applied.
A lever in which the effort force is between the resistance force and fulcrum.
A rope wrapped around a wheel; used to change direction or amount of effort force.
The number of times a machine multiplies effort force; calculated by dividing resistance by effort force.
A device that does work with one movement.
Form of robotics created by Disney Imagineering in which robots make pre-recorded motions and sounds.
A motor that controls the movement of an object.
A motor that uses liquid pressure to control the movement of an object.
A device that controls the position and/or velocity of a machine.
Resources
Books
Internet
Glover, David.
Pulleys and Gears.
Heinemann Library, 1997.
Grades 4-6. Glover provides explanations, photos, and everyday
applications of each simple machine. A glossary is included.
Exploratorium: Braking and Steering
http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/brakes1.html
This website provides a description of the braking mechanisms in a
bicycle, which include levers.
Macaulay, David and Ardley, Neil.
The New Way Things Work.
Walter Lorraine Books, 1998.
Grade 4 and up. An updated version of the book that explains the
science and mechanics of human inventions. A great resource for the
study of forces and motion.
Museum of Science: Inventor’s Toolbox
http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/InventorsToolbox.html
This website provides pictures and descriptions of simple
machines, as well as a link to an interactive quiz about the simple
machines that make up complex machines.
DVD
PBS Kids:What’s the Deal With Rube Goldberg?
http://pbskids.org/zoom/games/goldburgertogo/realworld.html
Includes activities and ideas for making contraptions similar to
those made famous by Rube Goldberg.
Bill Nye the Science Guy: Simple Machines.
KCTS Seattle. DVD. Disney Educational Productions, 2004.
Grade 4 and up. Bill shows us that simple machines doing complicated
things can be found everywhere.
Rube Goldberg™.com
http://rubegoldberg.com/
Includes biographical information and a virtual gallery of the
cartoonist’s work.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: Alexander Calder
http://www.sfmoma.org/espace/calder/calder_intro.html
A virtual gallery of the artist’s work.
DEducational Productions (800) 295-5010
www.DisneyEducation.com
© Disney
EDUCATOR’S GUIDE PAGE 4
Test Your Knowledge:Answer Key
This DVD includes an assessment tool titled Test Your Knowledge.You can find this in the Bonus
Material section on your DVD. Below are the correct answers for each Test Your Knowledge question.
Question Number
Correct Answer
1
C
2
A
3
B
4
A
5
A
6
B
7
A
8
B
9
B
10
B
11
C
12
B
13
C
14
B
15
A
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© Disney
EDUCATOR’S GUIDE PAGE 5