Simple Machines, Motion and Forces...OH MY!

Happy Tuesday!

Much has been going on in our classroom lately. We've been working through a simple machines unit in science, and have just started a motion and forces unit. We did an experiment to test the mechanical advantage of each of the six simple machines (lever, screw, wheel & axle, pulley, inclined plane, and wedge) by following the scientific method. The kids really got into the projects, and so much learning was taking place! I love using the scientific method, because it really causes the students to THINK about what they're doing. They conduct each experiment with PURPOSE.

Here are the steps we took for each experiment:

1. We came up with a question we sought to answer about the mechanical advantage of the simple machine.
2. Each student wrote his or her own hypothesis.
3. We researched the simple machine (aka read about it in our science book/workbook).
4. Students designed an experiment to test the simple machine with a given list of materials.
5. Students tested the experiment in teams.
6. Students analyzed the results of the experiment.
7. We came up with a conclusion about how the simple machine made work easier and why.

We also practice the steps of the scientific method with this awesome resource made by Shari Beck. Lord knows our classroom loves task cards!! :)

Mrs.Bush