• Field Trip

    More than 250 interactive science, technology, energy and health exhibits await students of all ages.  We’re experts at making sure that bringing your group to the Museum is smooth sailing all the way. Discounted admission for groups of 20 or more!

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  • ScienceWorks

    Your students become scientists during our 50-minute ScienceWorks Labs that provide hands-on experience with a variety of topics identified in the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations.  Each lab includes pre-visit and post-visit classroom activities.  Labs are available year-round for preschool to middle school students.

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  • Outreach

    It's Science on Wheels: We bring the Museum to you!  We offer fun, inquiry-based programs for the students in your classroom, library, festival or youth center! All programs address objectives outlined in the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations and include pre- and post-visit activities.

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  • Series Outreach

    We bring science activities, writing exercises, and academic confidence to your students. Our programs are proven to correlate with a rise in Science MEAP scores among participating students. Each program is a series of workshops led by a highly qualified teacher and aligns with MI Grade Level Content Expectations.  All materials are provided.

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  • Distance Learning

    Our educators use videoconferencing to engage your students in a dynamic, hands-on learning experience. Program kits sent to classroom teachers include nearly everything you need for experiments. Kits are yours to keep! All programs address National Science Education Standards and align with Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations.

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  • Professional Development

    Join us for fast-paced, hands-on teacher workshops that provide elementary and middle school educators with new hands-on tools for incorporating interactive science and math activities into your classroom.  Join us for professional development opportunities both at the museum and at your school.

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  • Summer of Science

     

    Whether you’re with a group or your family, explore over 250 exhibits, participate in hands-on activities and experience a unique Summer ScienceWorks Lab. Visit the Museum and fill your summer with science!

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  • Summer Camp

    Explore week-long science and math activities with Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum staff and community collaborators.  Elementary and middle school children can investigate a different theme each week through hands-on and engaging fun.

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  • Birthday Parties

    What do you get when you mix one part science, one part fun, and one part celebration? A birthday party at the Museum! Experience a birthday full of discovery by exploring more than 250 exhibits and experimenting with a hands-on activity. Celebrate in a unique and interactive environment to make your special day really special!

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Back to Programs

WORKSHOP Simple Machines

Outreach Workshop: Simple Machines

Learn the golden rule of “force for distance” by testing it yourself. Discover how simple machines reduce effort to make work easier.

Price

$300 - Includes two 50-minute workshops.  Additional workshops $125 each.

Register for an Outreach Workshop today!

Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations, Science v.1.09

  • Manipulate simple tools (for example: hand lens, pencils, balances, non-standard objects for measurement) that aid observation and data collection. (S.IP.00.14, S.IP.01.14, S.IP.02.14)
  • Manipulate simple tools that aid observation and data collection. (S.IP.03.14)
  • Describe how a push or a pull is a force. (P.FM.03.35)
  • Demonstrate how the change in motion of an object is related to the strength of the force acting upon the object and to the mass on an object. (P.FM.03.37)

Simple Machines Pre-visit Vocabulary

Distance: The measurable amount something moves.

Effort: Force or energy you put into moving something.

Energy: Energy is the capacity for doing work. Forms of energy include light, heat and electricity.

Force: A push or pull.

Fulcrum: Pivot point of a lever; place where a lever turns.

Inclined Plane: Simple machine that is any sloped surface.

Lever: Simple machine that consists of a bar that rotates on a fulcrum.

Load: Mass that is being moved.

Machine: Device that multiplies your force or changes the direction of the force.

Newton: Unit used to measure force.

Pivot: To turn.

Pulley: Simple machine that is a wheel and axle with a groove to hold a rope.

Screw: Simple machine that is a combination of a cone and an inclined plane.

Simple Machine: Any object that makes work easier by trading force for distance.

Spring scale: Measuring device used to determine amount of force used.

Wedge: Simple machine that is a moving inclined plane.

Wheel & axle: Simple machine made of a bar on which a round object turns.

Work: Moving something.

Simple Machines Post-visit Activity

Post-visit activities provide your students with an opportunity to review workshop-presented concepts and introduce related subjects. Below you will find a classroom extension activity and a list of suggested resources for further exploration. We hope that you enjoyed our Outreach Hands-On Workshop and we look forward to visiting your students again!

Hands-on Activity: Machine Mobiles

This activity is not only an art project, but illustrates the concept of a first class lever as well. Remember, a first class lever is a lever with the fulcrum located in the middle, between the load and the force being applied. Teeter-totters and scales are first class levers. A first class lever is in balance when the load is equal on either side of the fulcrum — just what you need to create a mobile!

This is a great cooperative learning opportunity since students will need assistance from one another when it comes to tying the thread to the wire and balancing the mobiles.

Materials

  • Clear tape
  • Crayons
  • Poster board
  • Thread
  • Wire cutters

Per student:

  • Pictures of models of machines (draw your own or use those provided)
  • Wire hangers (one per student)

Procedure

  1. Draw color and cut out 4 machines using poster board. Or, use the pictures provided and glue them to poster board.
  2. Cut the hangers into 3 pieces — 1 short, 1 medium and 1 long, straight piece. Throw the rest of the hanger away. (The best way to do this may be to have the teacher go around the room with wire cutters while the students are working on their machines).
  3. Tape a piece of thread about 6-8 inches long to the approximate top and middle of each machine.
  4. Tie a machine to one end of shortest wire. Tie another machine to the other end of that wire. Every time you make a knot, be sure to wrap the thread around the wire about 3 times before making a double knot.
  5. Tie one machine each to the ends of the two other wires.
  6. Begin assembling the mobile from the bottom up. Each mobile will need 3 more pieces of thread about 6-12 inches long. Tie one of the pieces of thread to the point you predict will balance the shortest wire. Hold the short wire with its two machines up by this thread and see if it balances. Slide the knot back and forth until it does.
  7. Tie the loose end of this thread tightly to the free end (the end without a machine tied to it) of the middle-length wire. Take another loose piece of thread and tie it tightly to this medium-length wire, just about where you think it will balance (balancing it in the tip of your finger might help you to find the right spot).
  8. Tie the loose end of that thread tightly to the free end of the longest wire.
  9. Use your last piece of loose thread to hang the mobile by tying it to the balance point of the longest wire.
  10. Have a friend help you to balance the whole mobile by having your partner hold it up while you carefully slide the knots back and forth to make it balance. ALWAYS START FROM THE BOTTOM and work up!
  11. If your knots slide around a lot, try putting a very small piece of tape over them.
  12. Hang your mobile up and enjoy!

Suggested Resources

Books

Battcher, D., Erickson, S., Martini, K., Rogers, C., Shennan, W. and Wiebe, A. Machine Shop. AIMS Education Foundation, Fresno, CA. 1993.

Dahl, Michael. Inclined Planes. Bridgestone Books, Mankato, MN. 1996.

Dahl, Michael. Levers. Bridgestone Books, Mankato, MN. 1996.

Potter, Jean. Science in Seconds for Kids. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 1995

St. Andre, Ralph. Simple Machines Made Simple. Teacher Ideas Press, Englewood, CO. 1993..

Tolman, Marvin N. Hands-On Physical Science Activities for Grades 2–8. Parker Publishing Company, Inc., NY. 1995.

West, David. Wheels, Pulleys and Levers. Shooting Star Press, New York. 1993.

Internet

The Franklin Institute Online

Hands-on Technology Program

Museum of Science

WORKSHOP Simple Machines

Outreach

Library, School

50 minutes

3-5th

30

Engineering, Math, Physical Sciences