Planning a unit on simple machines? Save some time and energy with this collection of lessons and activities that explores how these devices are used in the real world to make life a little easier. 

Teach young engineers that all machines, no matter how complicated or complex, are made up of just six simple devices with this hands-on physical science lesson. Using the included templates, students first create paper models of...

Distinguish between food and non-food items. Recognize that food is obtained from both plant and animal sources. Identify sources for some common animal foods then construct a simple food path from the farm to the consumer.

Boat safety lesson 7 (out of 22) focuses on the fundamental body position for water skiing. This is done using a water skiing training machine. If you click on the resource link at the bottom of the page, you can view all the lesson...

Third graders view photos of machines that measure wind energy and chart what they observe in the pictures and the questions they have about the pictures.  In this wind energy lesson, 3rd graders make a pinwheel.  Students show...

Students explore simple machines.  In this simple machines science lesson, students work with a partner to identify what kind of simple machine is represented by a variety of household objects placed in paper bags.  Students...

Sixth graders research machines used in agriculture. In this agriculture activity, 6th graders complete a variety of activities that involve farming and crops. Some examples include: answering questions, creating a storyboard, poetry,...

Students disassemble a toy. In this science instructional activity, students compare and contrast the inner mechanisms of a toy car. Students predict and illustrate what the inner mechanism look like. Then, they disassemble the toy, and...

Learners engage in a lesson plan that is concerned with the concept of a simple machine and uses the law of motion to justify why they operate. Students explore the laws by constructing some simple machines to illustrate the concepts.

Students examine the mechanical advantage of pulleys.  In this pulleys instructional activity students are given a challenge to help save a whale by setting up different pulleys systems to move it. 

Sixth graders write a poem and an essay about the machines they have learned about that are used in agriculture. In this machines lesson plan, 6th graders compare different kinds of machines and discuss the economic impact machines in...

Students discuss how simple machines have made our lives easier and construct a compound machine. In this machines lesson plan, students watch a video on machines, look at websites, and follow task cards in order to make a simple machine.

First graders study and describe simple machines such as the hammer, screwdriver, nutcracker, bottle opener and scissors and select the appropriate tool for a particular type of work.

Students examine how machines help people grow food. They study specialized types of farm machines and the tasks they perform. They complete handouts matching images of the machines with text.

Students observe a machine closely from several angles while it operates. Identify the elements of machines combined in different gadgets. Create a clear diagram of how a machine works.

In this simple machines worksheet, students examine methods to reduce friction in simple machines and note 5 of them on the lines provided.

Students increase their vocabulary and knowledge base while learning about different types of machines. In this machine lesson, students glue pictures of the machines they like onto paper and share their collages with classmates.

Students identify simple machines found in different environments. In this matching lesson, students match the machine with the place it belongs.

In this technology worksheet, students find the words in the puzzle and then this could be extended to finding the definitions in relation to ignition systems.

Third graders observe and discuss examples of friction. They discuss what experimentally increases and decreases friction. They then predict which surface will produce the most friction and verify the prediction.

This site from PBS Kids "Zoom" provides great ideas for building a Rube Goldberg machine around the house from common items. The information is complete with materials needed, instructions, and results on a level for elementary kids.