Overview

In this learning sequence students will investigate simple machines, where they are found in everyday life and how they are used. They will learn that simple machines are often combined to form more complex machines.  

They will:

• explore the six main types of simple machines – the inclined plane, wheel and axle, pulley, lever, screw and wedge

• look at how simple machines make work easier by comparing input and output forces

• experiment with levers and pulleys and use simulations to model the mechanics of levers and pulleys

• think about the important role of science in understanding how machines work and in developing new technologies

• discover that scientific discoveries and inventions have had a significant impact on our everyday lives. 

These lessons include further exploration ideas and resources that you might choose to have your students investigate. 

Students are learning to:  

• describe the most common simple machines and how they make work easier 

• safely conduct an experiment using fair testing 

• use simulations to model the mechanics of levers and pulleys 

• solve problems involving forces and mechanical advantage 

• analyse first-hand and secondary data and draw conclusions.

Success criteria 

• I can describe the six common simple machines.

• I can describe how each simple machine makes work easier.

• I can safely conduct fair testing when designing and conducting an experiment.

• I can successfully use simulations to find some properties of levers and pulleys.

• I can tabulate, analyse data by finding patterns and relationships and draw conclusions.

Outcomes:  

• SC4-1VA appreciates the importance of science in their lives and the role of scientific inquiry in increasing understanding of the world around them  

• SC4-5WS collaboratively and individually produces a plan to investigate questions and problems  

• SC4-6WS follows a sequence of instructions to safely undertake a range of investigation types, collaboratively and individually  

• SC4-7WS  processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions  

• SC4-8WS selects and uses appropriate strategies, understanding and skills to produce creative and plausible solutions to identified problems  

• SC4-9WS presents science ideas, findings and information to a given audience using appropriate scientific language, text types and representations

• SC4-10PW describes the action of unbalanced forces in everyday situations

Students investigate different types of simple machines, where they are found in everyday life, how they are used and how these simple machines make work easier. Students complete a Frayer diagram to explore the concept of machines before learning about the six simple machines – lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw and wedge. They will identify simple machines in compound machines and identify forces acting in simple machines. Students will also explore Rube Goldberg machines. 

• Activity 1 – What is a machine?

• Activity 2 – Investigating simple machines

• Activity 3 – Everyday simple machines

  • Activity 4 – Rube Goldberg machines

In this lesson, students investigate levers as a type of simple machine consisting of a rigid beam and a fulcrum, with an effort (input force) and load (output force). They learn about first, second and third class levers and properties of levers. Students solve simple problems involving force, distance and mechanical advantage, qualitatively and quantitatively. Students complete a first-hand investigation and use a simulation to collect and analyse data. 

• Activity 1 – Definitions

• Activity 2 – Investigating levers

  • Activity 3 – Archimedes and levers

• Activity 4 – Classes of levers 

In this lesson, students investigate pulleys as another type of simple machine and compare and contrast pulleys and levers in a Venn diagram. Students use a simple simulation to investigate forces in pulleys and calculate mechanical advantage in different pulley systems. Students use experimental results to tabulate and analyse data, discuss relationships and draw conclusions. They investigate friction and consider the impact of friction in machines. 

• Activity 1 – Investigating pulleys 

• Activity 2 – Mechanical advantage in pulleys 

• Activity 3 – Scientific investigations 

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