Simple Machines Webquest
Introduction:
How would you get to school if there were no such thing as a wheel and axle? There would be no buses, cars, truck, or bicycles. How would you walk up the stairs without an incline plane? Simple machines make our lives simpler! Let’s learn more about simple machines and how they help to make our workloads just a little bit easier.
Task:
In this WebQuest you will research and identify examples of the six different simple machines that we use everyday. You and your partner(s) will work together to:
- Complete a chart which includes the six different types of simple machines, what it does, and examples of how we use this kind of simple machine today.
- Use the worksheet to explore how simple machines can make work easier.
- Use this information to create a new compound machine that would be helpful to you. You will create a model of this machine.
- Create a poster to market your compound machine to your classmates. This poster should have a model of your machine and focus on the usefulness of your machine. Worksheets:
Materials:
Worksheets from Mrs. Noboa
Links:
- Beacon Learning Center
http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/WebLessons/SimpleMachines/machines005.htm
- Dirtmeister’s Science Reporter
http://teacher.scholastic.com/dirtrep/simple/index.htm
- MyKids.com
http://www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm
- EdHeads Games
http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/frame_loader.htm
- Aspire Simple Machines
Process:
1. You and a partner will use the Internet resources to locate the names of the six types of simple machines and how they machines work. Record this information on the Simple Machines Table.
2. You and a partner will use the Internet resource below to find out how the six machines make work easier.
3. Now it’s your turn to be a scientist! Using the information you have collected, create a brand new compound machine which uses at least two simple machines. Label the different simple machines your new invention uses. How does this machine make work easier for the user?
4. Create a poster, either with poster board or PowerPoint, to sell your invention. Be sure to include a picture of your machine and label the types of simple machines that make up your new machine. Include why this machines is so great…How would it improve life for the user?
Evaluation:
| Task | LittleEvidence | SomeEvidence | AchievedTheStandard | ExceededTheStandard |
| Ability to identify, define and provide examples of simple machines. | Identifies less than 4 simple machines. | Identifies and defines 4 or more simple machines. Is missing examples on some machines. | Identifies, defines and provides 2 examples of each simple machine. | Identifies, defines and provides more than two examples of each simple machine. |
| Design a new complex machine made up of two or more simple machines. | Invention uses only 1 simple machine in its design. Does not solve a problem. | Invention uses the same type of machine more than one. Machine does not solve a problem. | Invention uses 2 or more different simple machines and solves a problem. | Invention uses a variety of simple machines. The new machine solves a problem. |
| Create a poster that markets your new complex machine. | Poster is poorly illustrated or lacks attention to detail. Does not have a picture of the new machine. Contains many grammatical or spelling errors. | Poster is illustrated and the machine is pictured. Does not show how the machine would improve your life. Contains many grammatical or spelling errors. | Poster is illustrated and the machine is pictured. All simple machines are identified and an attempts who how the machine would improve your life. Few grammatical or spelling errors. | Poster is illustrated and the machine is pictured. All simple machines are identified show how the machine would improve your life. Contains no grammatical or spelling errors. |
Conclusion:
In this WebQuest you have learned what simple machines are and found examples of how they are used to help us every day. You have also learned how simple machines can be combined to work together to make compound machines. Working as a scientist you have created a way to make your life easier by inventing a new compound machine. Remember man had to invent these simple machines to make life easier. How do you think early man lived without even the simplest machines? What effect would this have on your life today?