Simple Machines
The following sites are suitable for Elementary Level Students.
Learning about science can be hard work, but simple machines can make it easier. Let Bill Nye push and pull you around levers, ramps, screws, and pulleys. Bill Nye is the writer, producer and star of Disney’s Bill Nye the Science Guy. While you’re there, be sure to check out the Home Demo experiments.
This site from the Inventor’s Workshop highlights simple machines and a few of their more complex neighbors. Be sure to check out the Gadget Anatomy link to see these Simple Machines put to use! This site is sponsored by The Science Network and the Boston Museum of Science.
This great site from the Canada Science and Technology Museum that provides teachers with lesson plans and other interactive activities for students.
ZOOM, PBS’s by-kids-for-kids science show, offers up this not-so-simple machine. Can you find all six simple machines in this Rube Goldberg contraption? Challenge a friend or challenge yourself, then follow the link to make your very own Rube Goldberg device!
COSI of Columbus, Ohio, offers a simple yet detailed Flash tutorial to Simple Machines as well as many other scientific diversions. COSI stands for Center of Science and Industry. Teachers and students alike will find hours of online activities and practical applications for theoretical knowledge!
This site, put together by graduate student Todd Krantz, offers standards-based third grade science definitions and a quick online quiz to test your knowledge of Simple Machines.
This site provides both teacher and student resources for teaching about Simple Machines, as well as providing links describing each of the machines in detail. Some of those links do lead to paid advertising sites. This site was created and is maintained by Carolyn I. Gundrum, a licensed media specialist.
The Simple Machines Construction site provides many resources for teachers and students alike and was created to meet third grade Virginia science standards. Lesson plans are included in the Teachers section, as well as an interactive area for students to learn not only what Simple Machines are but how to use them! This great site from the University of Utah combines a playful attitude with exacting information and excellent teacher/student resources. Organized around Utah’s science standards, this site is certain to help you and your students have fun and learn at the same time!
Simple machines for pre-school! A Twiddlebug Tool Adventure from Sesame Street lets young children explore simple machines and practice problem-solving skills by helping a twiddlebug find his way home.
Wikipedia is a free, online reference library created by millions of users who add, subtract, correct, and re-correct all of the articles. While you can find pages and pages of useful information here, care should be taken as not all of the information provided has been proven to be accurate. Surf with care! Pages describe in detail all six Simple Machines.
Created 11/2006
Last updated 6/21/2011
Check out more Science and Technology videos and teacher resources from Wisconsin Media Lab. Visit WIMediaLab.org if you are a Wisconsin student or teacher.
