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...

In this museum student guide worksheet, students make a mini-book about simple machines to be used during a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry. They locate the exhibits that demonstrate the wedge, inclined plane, screw, lever,...

In this inclined planes worksheet, students find machines at home that screw and record the object and the direction of the screw. Students find 5 machines.

A short piece on Leonardo da Vinci from the Science Learning Network. Placed here because a) there's a decent drawing of an Archimedes' screw, and b) there's a link to an adequate definition thereof.