Simple Machines: Teachers

You might not be able to take your class on a field trip to the Museum of Science + Industry in Chicago, but you can visit the website for some help with your Simple Machines lessons.

Videos, quizzes, and puzzles related to Simple Machines here.

Explore Simple Machines at Mikids.com — click here.

Song for teaching Simple Machines here.

Gadget Anatomy activity from Boston's Museum of Science helps students identify the simple machines that are combined to make a working gadget. Find more ideas for exploring complex gadgets made of simple machines from ZOOM at PBS LearningMedia.

Here is a Simple Machines Scavenger Hunt lesson for your classroom. Teach Engineering has a simpler scavenger hunt worksheet with suggested answers.

Lesson Plan for teaching about Simple Machines — click here.

Hands- on activities from NASA for your Simple Machines unit. Click here.

At PBS Learning Media, K-2 teachers will find multi-media resources for teaching about simple machines in the primary grades. Each resource comes with support material, lesson plans, and/or worksheets.
• Everyday Learning: Simple Machines
• Let's Have Fun With Simple Machines
• Go Outside and Play: Simple Machines
• A Thing or 2 About Simple Machines
• The Cat In the Hat: Pulling Together and complete Teacher's Guide

Take a look at these ideas for student-constructed simple machines.

Simple Machines teaching unit for grades K-4.

Lesson plans on how simple machines transfer force and respond to applied force from Utah Education Network. For middle school teachers, this UEN activity challenges students to build a working apparatus made of various simple machines.

This collection of engaging videos on Simple Machines are designed for intermediate students.

PowerPoints for your Simple Machines Unit

• The 6 Simple Machines - click here
• Work and Simple Machines — upper grades — click here