Demonstrating Simple Machines
Simple machines are really easy to demonstrate with tools from the hardware store. I keep a plastic storage box filled with:
- a screw driver,
- hammer,
- vise,
- pulleys,
- clothesline,
- four or five toy cars (about the same size),
- four or five smooth pieces of plywood for inclined planes for running the cars,
- some plastic drinking cups to attach to the clothesline as baskets for the pulley system,
- springs,
- a hand cranked egg beater to demonstrate gears, and
- scissors.
I have many prepared bulletin board sets demonstrating each of the machines. I reinforce vocabulary with pictures showing force, fulcrum and load. My kids love to participate in this unit and enjoy finding other household objects that are technically simple machines, such as a can opener, knife and broom.
