Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education

Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools

Supported by: National Science Foundation

Simple Machines: 4.G.3 _______________________________

Levers

Grade Level 4

Sessions 1 – 50 minutes each

Seasonality N/A
Instructional Mode(s) Whole class
Team Size Whole class
WPS Benchmarks 04.SC.IS.03
04.SC.IS.04
04.SC.IS.05
04.SC.TE.03
MA Frameworks 3-5.IS.03
3-5.IS.04
3-5.IS.05
3-5.TE.1.3
Key Words Simple Machines, Levers, Engineering Design Process

Summary
The students will learn about the advantages of using different types of levers. The
students will then apply what they have learned and the engineering design process to
solve a problem.

Learning Objectives
2002 Worcester Public Schools (WPS) Benchmarks for Grade 4
04.SC.IS.03 Keep accurate records while conducting simple investigations or
experiments.
04.SC.IS.04 Conduct multiple trials to test a prediction. Compare the results of an
investigation or experiment with the prediction.
04.SC.IS.05 Recognize simple patterns in data and use data to create a reasonable
explanation for the results of an investigation or experiment.
04.SC.TE.03 Identify and explain the difference between simple and complex machines
(e.g., hand can opener that includes multiple gears, wheel, wedge gear, lever).

Additional Learning Objectives

1. 04.SC.IS.03 Keep accurate records while conducting simple investigations or
experiments.

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 Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools
Supported by: National Science Foundation

2. 04.SC.IS.04 Conduct multiple trials to test a prediction. Compare the results of

an investigation or experiment with the prediction.
3. 04.SC.IS.05 Recognize simple patterns in data and use data to create a
reasonable explanation for the results of an investigation or experiment.
4. 3-5.TE.1.3 Identify and explain the difference between simple and complex
machines (e.g., hand can opener that includes multiple gears, wheel, wedge
gear, lever).

Required Background Knowledge

1. Basic understanding of simple machines.
2. Basic understanding of the engineering design process.

Essential Questions
1. What are the different types of levers?
2. Do levers make doing work easier?

Introduction / Motivation
Ask the students what levers are and what they are used for? Ask the students for
examples of levers that they see in everyday life. (Examples of Levers)

Procedure
The instructor will:
1. Divide the class up into groups depending on the number of supplies.
2. Pass out the Experiment 1: Class 1 Levers to the groups and the materials
needed to do Experiment 1.
3. After all groups have completed the first experiment to pass out Experiment 2:
Class 2 Levers and the materials for the second experiment. Do the same for
Experiment 3: Class 3 Levers.
4. When all groups have completed all experiments and answered all questions, the
class should discuss their answers.
5. Pass out Engineering Design Task for the students to complete individually or
in their groups.

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 Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Worcester Public Schools
Supported by: National Science Foundation

Materials List
Materials per group Amount Location
Books 1-2 Classroom
String 2 pieces (4-5 ft) Hardware Store
Weight 1 Fitness Area of Department Store
Board 1 Hardware Store
Spring Scale 1 Specialty Store
Ruler or Meter Stick 1 Classroom

Materials per student Amount Location

Handouts 1 Lesson Plan

Vocabulary with Definitions

1. Force - The capacity to do work or cause physical change.
2. Lever – A simple machine that has an arm that “pivots” against a fulcrum.
3. Simple Machine – Explain that a simple machine is a device that makes work
easier.
4. Work – Physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or
accomplishment of something.

Assessment / Evaluation of Students

The instructor may assess the students in any/all of the following manners:
1. Check worksheets

Lesson Extensions
The other lessons in this unit focus on other types of simple machines.

Attachments
1. Levers
2. Experiment 1: Class 1 Levers
3. Experiment 2: Class 2 Levers
4. Experiment 3: Class 3 Levers
5. Engineering Design Task (2 pages)
6. Examples of Levers

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Troubleshooting Tips
None

Safety Issues
None

Additional Resources
None

Key Words
Simple machines, Levers, Engineering Design Process
 Levers

There are three different types of levers.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/activities/images/27ms_sle2treb_levers.gif
Name: _____________________ Date: ___________

Experiment 1 – Class 1 Levers

1. Put a ruler on the desk so that half of it goes out further than the edge
of the desk.

2. Place your Science book on the other end of the ruler like in the
picture below.

3. Attach the pull scale to the part of the ruler shown in the picture.

4. Pull down gently on the pull scale to see how much force is needed to
lift the book.

Force __________________

5. Try the experiment again and move the book closer to the edge of the
desk. How much force is needed this time?

Force __________________

6. Try the experiment one more time with the book at the edge of the
desk. How much force did it take to lift the book that time?

Force _______________
Attach the pull
scale here.
Name: _____________________ Date: ________

Experiment 2 – Class 2 Levers

1. Tie a piece of string around the weight your group was given and
place it on the floor.

2. Lift the toy off of the floor with the pull scale and record how much
force was needed to lift the toy.

Force _____________

3. Set up your experiment the way it is shown in the picture below.

4. Make sure your setup looks like the picture.

5. Lift the weight with the Class 2 lever and record the amount of force
needed.

Force _____________

Was it more or less than lifting the weight without the lever? _________

weight
Name: __________________ Date: _________

Experiment 3 – Class 3 Levers

1. This type of lever is similar to the Class 2 lever except the

weight and the effort are switched. Set up your experiment
like the picture below.

2. Tape the ruler to the desk with masking tape.

3. Lift the weight gently.

4. How much force is needed to lift the weight?

Force _________________

weight
weight
Name: ________________________ Date: _________
Engineering Design Task
Step 1: Identify the need or problem

You need to lift a large stack of books to the top shelf in the library using at least
one lever.

www.bu.edu
http://www.hekman.com
Step 2: Research the need or problem

The three experiments you have done with different types of levers and thinking
about the problem will be your research.

Step 3: Brainstorm

Draw three different possible solutions on the back of this paper.

Step 4: Select the best possible solution

Circle the solution in Step 3 that you select. Why did you select that solution?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________ Date: _________

Step 5: Construct a prototype

Instead of constructing a prototype, write down the steps you would take in
building your prototype. Include the types of materials and tools you would use.

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Step 6: Test and evaluate the solution

Consider what would happen if your designed prototype would be used to lift a
car? How could you improve your design to lift cars?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Step 7: Communicate the solution

Present your chosen design to the members of your group.

Step 8: Redesign

Draw a picture of your new and improved design on the back of this paper. (Use
your ideas from Step 6.)
Examples of Levers