Simple
Machine
Invention
Project
Teacher Directions:
• Activation Strategy- show [Link] videos on simple
machines. Have students take quiz after watching
video and print results.
– [Link]
– [Link]
– [Link]
– [Link]
• Introduce key vocabulary before starting lesson. I
have my students make index cards or take notes with
the word, definition, and a picture that will help them
remember the meaning of each word.
• Print Simple Machine Chart for students. This can be
used as a study guide or formative assessment.
• Simple Machine Matching can be displayed on Smart
Board. Have students come up and draw lines to the
correct simple machine.
• Review questions can be used to start discussion about
simple machines before beginning projects.
• For the project, print directions page, checklist, and
rubric for students. Have students turn in checklist
and rubric with their finished project.
Vocabulary
• Energy- the ability to cause matter to move
• Force- a push that moves an object away or a pull
that moves an object nearer
• Work- the transfer of energy
• Simple machine- a device that changes a
force and makes work easier
• Compound machine
• Lever- a simple machine made up of a stiff
bar that moves freely around a fixed point
• Pulley- a simple machine made up of a rope
fitted around the rim of a fixed wheel
• Inclined plane- a simple machine made up of
a slanted surface
• Wedge- a simple machine made up of two
inclined planes
• Screw- a simple machine made up of an
inclined plane wrapped around a column
• Wheel & axle- a simple machine made up of
two cylinders that turn on the same axis
• Fulcrum- the point on which a lever moves
when it is used to lift something
Simple Machine Chart
Simple Machine Drawing How it Helps Us Examples
Work
Lever
Pulley
Inclined Plane
Wedge
Screw
Wheel & Axle
Simple Machine Chart Key
Simple Machine Drawing How it Helps Us Examples
Work
Lever will vary lifts or pries shovel, seesaw,
things apart scissors,
screwdriver
Pulley will vary moves things flag pole, crane,
up, down, or tape dispenser
across
Inclined Plane will vary moves something slide, ramp,
up or down escalator
Wedge will vary cuts things; knife,
spreads objects screwdriver,
apart shovel, scissors
Screw will vary holds things drill bit, jar lid,
together bolt
Wheel & Axle will vary lifts or moves doorknob, pencil
loads sharpener,
bicycle,
wheelbarrow
Simple Machine Matching
Pulley Playground slide
Screwdriver
Lever Seesaw
Ramp
Wedge Flag pole
Door knob
Inclined plane Knife
Scissors
Bicycle
Screw Wheelbarrow
Shovel
Wheel & Axle Drill bit
Tape dispenser
Simple Machine Matching Key
Pulley- flagpole, tape dispenser
Lever- seesaw, scissors,
screwdriver
Wedge- shovel, scissors, knife
Inclined plane- playground slide,
ramp
Screw- drill bit
Wheel & Axle- doorknob,
screwdriver, wheelbarrow, bicycle
Review Questions
• What are some examples of how
we use simple machines at
school?
• When I open a door knob, what
simple machine am I using?
• When I use a ramp instead of
taking the stairs, what simple
machine am I using?
• What simple machine is part of
an elevator?
• How do simple machines make
work easier?
• What would life be like without
simple machines?
Review Questions Key
1. Raising the flag at school,
opening doors, sharpening pencils,
going up/down the slide, and
other reasonable answers.
2. Wheel and axle
3. Inclined plane
4. Pulley
5. Reduce the amount of effort
(work) we have to put out.
6. Answers may vary, but should
include something about making
everyday tasks more difficult
and give specific examples.
Simple Machine
Invention Project
Have you ever been trying to do a task and thought,
“Someone should invent___________!” Well, it’s time for you
to become an inventor! You are going to design an
invention that will make people’s lives easier using a
compound machine (2 or more simple machines working
together). You are going to create a sketch of your
invention, write a sales pitch for the invention, and
actually create a model of the invention. Use the
attached checklist and rubric to complete the project.
This will count as a test grade.
Checklist:
Detailed drawing/sketch of your
invention
Name for your invention
Names of the simple machines used
to create your invention
Paragraph describing the purpose
of your invention and why a
company should produce it (how the
invention makes work/life easier)
Correct spelling, punctuation,
capitalization, and grammar
Working model of your invention
(you are actually going to create
the machine and show how it
works)
Rubric
Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet
Drawing/Sketch Very detailed sketch Simple sketch. Some Messy, rough sketch.
with attention to labels included. No labels included. No
detail. Labels Somewhat color used.
included. Color used. professional (10 points)
Professional appearance.
appearance. (12 points)
(15 points)
Name of Creative name given Simple name given to No name given to
Invention & to invention. Simple invention. Simple invention. Simple
machines used in machines used in machines used in
Simple Machines
invention named and invention named and invention not named
labeled. labeled. and labeled.
(10 points) (8 points) (6 points)
Purpose of Detailed paragraph Somewhat detailed Limited explanation of
Invention explaining the paragraph explaining the purpose of the
purpose of the the purpose of the invention. No mention
invention. Includes
invention and how it of how it will make
why a company should
produce your product will make life or life or work easier.
and how it will make work easier. Does Does not include why a
life or work easier. not include why a company should
Includes how you company should produce your product.
made the invention. produce your (16 points)
(25 points)
product. (20 points)
Model of Invention works as it Invention somewhat Invention does not
Invention should. Is made from works as it should. work as it should or is
2 or more simple Is made from 2 made from only 1
machines. simple machines. simple machine.
(25 points) (20 points) (16 points)
Grammar Few to no grammar, Some grammar, Many grammar, spelling,
spelling, punctuation, spelling, punctuation, punctuation, and
and capitalization and capitalization capitalization
mistakes. Mistakes mistakes. Mistakes mistakes. Mistakes
do not affect do not affect affect understanding.
understanding. understanding. (6 points)
(10 points) (8 points)
Credits:
• [Link]
cs/[Link]
• [Link]
doodle_tipsy-[Link]
• © Copyright 2014. Melissa Ridgeway. All rights
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