Science 3: Simple Machines

Try out these activities to learn about the basic workings of three simple machines. Audio is provided; students can listen to the explanations.

An overview of six types of simple machines. Text description with audio files.

This 3-minute animated video has a song about simple machines. The song describes and illustrates different kinds of simple machines.

This worksheet for students has been produced by the Native Access to Engineering Programme

In this game you get to experiment with the settings for a catapult machine. Every time you change the settings, you might be nearer or farther from hitting your target.

In this game, you get to experiment with the working parts of a machine to make it work to hit a cake button. Good Luck!

In this animated video, students learn about mass: the measure of an object’s ability to resist being accelerated by a force.

This incredible invention has allowed people to turn clumps of wool and fur (even dog fur!) into piles of yarn. Learn how to make your own spindle whorl from an old DVD and a pencil!

In this video, a team of archaeologists and engineers tests a theory of how the ancient peoples of Easter Island moved the massive statues from a cliff-top quarry to the coast and then raised them to an upright position.

Levers are a type of simple machine that allows you to multiply your work. In this video, you'll see 1st class, 2nd class, and third-class levers. You'll also learn a simple mnemonic device to help you remember which is which.

Jared explores another simple machine, the inclined plane, and demonstrates what it allows us to do and how.

Jared continues our series about simple machines by exploring what the wedge allows us to do.

Watch as Jared explains how humans created the wheel, how the wheel and axle work together, and finally how much the wheel can help to move heavy objects!

This video uses the classic playground seesaw to show you how levers work. What kind of physics is at work here? Related Lesson

What are you waiting for? Let's discover how we are able to ride a bike, drive a car or even create new artistic pottery!

Resources to use in the class as students explore wheels and levers. If you click the links, there is a sign-in prompt -- but you can bypass it by clicking the image instead.

Educator Hannah Morales created this lesson about simple machines using examples of First Peoples tools in the Royal BC Museum and Archives collections.

Students will be introduced to four experiments related to different mechanisms and how they’re used in various careers Belt drive; Cam and Follower; Gears; and Linkages

Coyote Science takes students on a culturally rich adventure into the wonder of Indigenous science. On this page are science lessons for elementary science topics