Summary Experiment with levers, wheel and axle, pulleys and inclined planes to understand how force is increased by simple machines Science content Physics: Motion and Forces, Newton’s Laws, Gravity (K, 2, 6) Physics: Simple and complex Machines (5) Activities in this lesson Levers: measuring forces Lever for lifting (heavy) things Household levers Pulley free play Pulleys: measuring forces in pulley systems Pulleys to lift a person or heavy load Simple machines on a bike Wheel and forces Inclined planes Lever projecting a ball Pulleys to pull each other together Procedure Do a selection of the activities, with several simple machines. (Ordered by ones I do most) See other lesson plans for a focus on Levers or Pulleys. Summarize that simple machines transform between a smaller force moving over a greater distance and a larger force moving over a smaller distance. They can make jobs easier. Several simple machines linked together make a complex (or compound machine). Grades taught Gr 1 Gr 2 Gr 3 Gr 4 Gr 5 Gr 6
