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Session 15: Simple Machines ⚙️

Overview

Grades: 1-2 | Duration: 30 minutes | Session: 15 of 17

Students explore simple machines that make work easier, discovering how levers and ramps help us lift and move things.

Session 15: Simple Machines

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Identify simple machines (lever, ramp/inclined plane)

  • Understand that machines make work easier

  • Experiment with levers and ramps

  • Connect engineering to helping others

Session 15: Simple Machines

Materials Needed

  • 📦 Lever materials (rulers, pencils as fulcrums, small weights)

  • 📦 Ramp materials (books, boards, toy cars)

  • 📓 Design Detective journals

  • 📸 Pictures of simple machines in use

  • 📦 Small objects to lift/move

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

St. Joseph the Worker — As a carpenter, he used simple machines every day to build and create!

Scripture

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart." — Colossians 3:23

Opening Prayer

Dear God, thank you for simple machines that help us do hard work. Like St. Joseph, help us use tools wisely to serve others. Bless our learning today. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (5 minutes)

  1. Heavy Lifting — "Have you ever had to lift something heavy?"
  2. Machines Help — "Simple machines make work EASIER!"
  3. Today's Focus:
  4. Lever — Like a seesaw! Helps lift things
  5. Ramp/Inclined Plane — Like a slide! Helps move things up
  6. St. Joseph — Used these tools as a carpenter
  7. Let's Experiment!

Main Activity: Simple Machine Exploration (19 minutes)

Part 1: Lever Investigation (8 minutes)

  • Build a lever:
  • Ruler balanced on a pencil (fulcrum)
  • Put a small object on one end

  • Push down on the other end

  • Experiments:

  • Move the fulcrum—what changes?
  • Closer to object = easier to lift!

  • Where are the best spots?

  • Discussion: "Where do we see levers?" (seesaw, door handle, scissors)

Part 2: Ramp Investigation (8 minutes)

  • Build a ramp:
  • Board or books propped on a stack

  • Roll car or push object up

  • Experiments:

  • Steep ramp vs. gentle ramp—which is easier?
  • Test with different objects

  • Measure how far things roll

  • Discussion: "Where do we see ramps?" (wheelchair ramps, playground slides, loading docks)

Part 3: Design Challenge (3 minutes)

  • Quick challenge: Use a lever OR ramp to move a small toy

  • Show your solution!

Design Detective Journal (4 minutes)

  1. Draw a lever you made
  2. Draw a ramp you made
  3. Write: "Simple machines make work easier by..."
  4. Draw where you see simple machines in the world

Closing Circle (2 minutes)

  1. Machine Discovery — "What did you learn about simple machines?"
  2. Helping Others — "How do ramps help people?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for simple machines that help us work. Help us always use our knowledge to serve others. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Built and tested lever

  • Built and tested ramp

  • Understood machines make work easier

  • Identified real-world examples

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Pre-built lever and ramp to experiment with

  • Focus on one machine type

  • Partner exploration

For Advanced Students

  • Experiment with multiple fulcrum positions

  • Measure and record data

  • Research other simple machines (wheel, pulley)

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Find simple machines at home! Doorknobs, scissors, wheelbarrows, ramps for strollers. Build ramps for toy cars—test steep vs. gentle. Try making a lever to lift a book!

Teacher Notes

  • Simple Machines Kit available from CSCOE

  • Great connection to playground equipment

  • Wheelchair ramps connect to accessibility/dignity discussion

  • Can extend to pulleys and wheels in future lessons

Previous: Session 14 — Sphero Challenge
Next: Session 16 — Earth Care