Description
Teach students all about simple machines through the lens of scientific innovation and Rube Goldberg machines! This bundle includes various activities, internet activities, readings and labs that will expose students to the function of simple machines and Rube Goldberg machines.
Included in the bundle is the following, which can be purchased individually at The Science Fair:
Simple Machine Online Guided Notes
My students didn't like traditional note-taking so I created a way to give students information in a more interactive way! Students will be introduced to four simple machines through images and videos collected on Padlet and record key pieces of information that can be referenced later. They'll apply the information about simple machines in a Rube Goldberg diagram analysis. The link to the Padlet is also included!
Inclined Planes and Levers BBK
Use this activity, called Building Background Knowledge (BBK), to introduce students to examples and uses for both inclined planes and levers. BBKs are a great way to introduce students to new material, get them making connections to real-life examples and build in differentiation for many students! Using Peardeck, students record observations, commonalities, things that stick out etc. about the pictures and videos. Students then interact with an online simulator, for which the links are included in the presentation.
The link to the Google Slides presentation is included but you need to have the free Peardeck add-on in order to access the interactive questions.
Pulleys and Wheel & Axle Simulation Exploration
Use these simulators as a way to interactively explore how both pulleys and wheel and axles work. Students can work in pairs or individually on computer or iPads to use the simple machine simulators and then play a Rube Goldberg video to test their understanding of all four simple machines (levers, inclined planes, pulleys and wheel and axles). The simulators and video can also be presented on a Smartboard or a projector if students do not have access to computers or iPads. The link to the Padlet is included in the document!
Students will need to apply their understanding of simple machines in a quiz. The first section consists of identification and short answer questions, requiring students to properly name each simple machine and explain its function. The application section asks students to further demonstrate their understanding by identifying simple machines within a Rube Goldberg machine, explain how the simple machine functions in the Rube Goldberg as a whole and finally, requires that students suggest an improvement to the diagram.
Rube Goldberg Video Exploration
Explore how simple machines occur and interact in Rube Goldberg videos, responding to question in Google Slides. Students will apply their understanding to suggest solutions in a Rube Goldberg diagram based on their exploration. Make sure that your students have access to Youtube in order to be able to use this resource!
Simple Machines Rube Goldberg Challenge
One of my personal favorite activities to get students involved in simple machines but remote! Teams of students get a virtual box of everyday items and are required to complete mini-Rube Goldbergs using these materials on Google Slides. Increasing in difficulty as the levels progress, students must work together to apply these simple machines to accomplish each task. For example, the last challenge requires students to turn the page of a book. Simple, right? Until you can only use a spoon, string and tape! This activity allows tons of hands-on, kinesthetic exploration of simple machines. It's also a great scaffold if your students are building a Rube Goldberg later in the unit.
Rube Goldberg Simple Machines Summative
Students will apply their understanding of Rube Goldbergs, simple machines and the interactions. There are three options students can choose from, based on their strengths, learning styles and interests. Students can choose from:
- Creating a dynamic blueprint of a Rube Goldberg on Padlet
- Drawing a traditional blueprint of a Rube Goldberg on paper
- Analyzing and evaluating a Rube Goldberg video of their choice
Students will all be asked to analyze and apply their understanding in these three tasks!
Highlights
Description
Teach students all about simple machines through the lens of scientific innovation and Rube Goldberg machines! This bundle includes various activities, internet activities, readings and labs that will expose students to the function of simple machines and Rube Goldberg machines.
Included in the bundle is the following, which can be purchased individually at The Science Fair:
Simple Machine Online Guided Notes
My students didn't like traditional note-taking so I created a way to give students information in a more interactive way! Students will be introduced to four simple machines through images and videos collected on Padlet and record key pieces of information that can be referenced later. They'll apply the information about simple machines in a Rube Goldberg diagram analysis. The link to the Padlet is also included!
Inclined Planes and Levers BBK
Use this activity, called Building Background Knowledge (BBK), to introduce students to examples and uses for both inclined planes and levers. BBKs are a great way to introduce students to new material, get them making connections to real-life examples and build in differentiation for many students! Using Peardeck, students record observations, commonalities, things that stick out etc. about the pictures and videos. Students then interact with an online simulator, for which the links are included in the presentation.
The link to the Google Slides presentation is included but you need to have the free Peardeck add-on in order to access the interactive questions.
Pulleys and Wheel & Axle Simulation Exploration
Use these simulators as a way to interactively explore how both pulleys and wheel and axles work. Students can work in pairs or individually on computer or iPads to use the simple machine simulators and then play a Rube Goldberg video to test their understanding of all four simple machines (levers, inclined planes, pulleys and wheel and axles). The simulators and video can also be presented on a Smartboard or a projector if students do not have access to computers or iPads. The link to the Padlet is included in the document!
Students will need to apply their understanding of simple machines in a quiz. The first section consists of identification and short answer questions, requiring students to properly name each simple machine and explain its function. The application section asks students to further demonstrate their understanding by identifying simple machines within a Rube Goldberg machine, explain how the simple machine functions in the Rube Goldberg as a whole and finally, requires that students suggest an improvement to the diagram.
Rube Goldberg Video Exploration
Explore how simple machines occur and interact in Rube Goldberg videos, responding to question in Google Slides. Students will apply their understanding to suggest solutions in a Rube Goldberg diagram based on their exploration. Make sure that your students have access to Youtube in order to be able to use this resource!
Simple Machines Rube Goldberg Challenge
One of my personal favorite activities to get students involved in simple machines but remote! Teams of students get a virtual box of everyday items and are required to complete mini-Rube Goldbergs using these materials on Google Slides. Increasing in difficulty as the levels progress, students must work together to apply these simple machines to accomplish each task. For example, the last challenge requires students to turn the page of a book. Simple, right? Until you can only use a spoon, string and tape! This activity allows tons of hands-on, kinesthetic exploration of simple machines. It's also a great scaffold if your students are building a Rube Goldberg later in the unit.
Rube Goldberg Simple Machines Summative
Students will apply their understanding of Rube Goldbergs, simple machines and the interactions. There are three options students can choose from, based on their strengths, learning styles and interests. Students can choose from:
- Creating a dynamic blueprint of a Rube Goldberg on Padlet
- Drawing a traditional blueprint of a Rube Goldberg on paper
- Analyzing and evaluating a Rube Goldberg video of their choice
Students will all be asked to analyze and apply their understanding in these three tasks!
