This lab activity is designed to allow students to experience what an increase in mechanical advantage means. Students determine the mechanical advantage of three pulley set-ups. Students also measure the work input and output, then calculate the efficiency. Finally, students determine the relationship between the mechanical advantage and the efficiency of the pulleys.

This article provides links to lessons and units about birds, bird characteristics, and penguins. Ideas for literacy integration are included, and all lessons are aligned to national standards.

In this STEM lesson, students follow the engineering design process to design and build a crane out of cardboard. They will determine methods to reinforce the crane's arms so it doesn't collapse under a heavy load. This activity is based on Robotics applications.

In this lesson, students will learn about the 5 simple machines and examine different rooms in their school to search for examples of those simple machines being used. They will create a presentation using a digital educational tool.

Students learn about the concept of pushing, as well as the relationship between force and mass. Students practice measurement skills using pan scales and rulers to make predictions about mass and distance. A LEGO MINDSTORMS(TM) NXT robot is used to test their hypotheses. By the end of the activity, students have a better understanding of robotics, mass and friction and the concept of predicting.

After learning about types of simple machines, students create one with recyclables in order to 'rescue' a small figurine by moving it 10 feet.  

After learning about types of simple machines, students create one with recyclables in order to 'rescue' a small figurine by moving it 10 feet.