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Grade Four
How does a lever help us to do work?

Hard work gets easier when you use a simple machine such as a lever. Use these web pages to try some activities with levers and get ideas for your own projects.
 
 

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Title: Simple Machines
Description: Learn about simple machines as you explore a virtual house and tool shed. Teachers—be sure to check out the teacher’s guide before using these activities in class.
URL: http://edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/index.htm
Title: Braking & Steering
Description: How do you stop a moving bicycle? What is the science behind steering? What forces keep the bicycle from falling over? This page discusses and answers these questions.
URL: http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/brakes1.html
Title: Inventor's Toolbox
Description: Find out how simple machines work and learn about some of the improvements made to them over time. Then test your self with an online quiz and see how well you know machines.
URL: http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/InventorsToolbox.html
Title: Simple Machines
Description: The Dirtmeister is challenging you to learn about the six types of simple machines. Find an example of one that you have seen at school, home or anywhere and write about it. What do you say, are you up to the challenge?
URL: http://teacher.scholastic.com/dirtrep/simple/index.htm
Title: Break It Down
Description: The page provides an online activity that allows the student to see how gears, ramps, and switches can make a machine more effective.
URL: http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/tools.php?DocID=77&Grade ...
Title: Inventor's Workshop
Description: This page provides a lesson plan in which simple machines are studied along with how Leonardo DeVinci incorporated them in his inventions.
URL: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/progra ...
Title: Simple Machines
Description: This activity helps students learn about systems, in the context of learning about simple machines.
URL: http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.php?DocID=1
Title: Simple Machines
Description: This front-page site has information about each of the six types of simple machines and links to further information, games and quizzes and an activity sheet.
URL: http://www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm
Title: Marvelous Machines
Description: This unit supports what students have already read or learned about simple machines and gives them the opportunity to try out different things for themselves. The unit also introduces or reinforces experimental technique and scientific thought.
URL: http://www.galaxy.net/~k12/machines/index.shtml