Simple Machines
Introduction
**Simple Machines – Discover the Building Blocks of Engineering! ⚙️🛠️** Welcome to *Simple Machines* – an exciting Science Olympiad event where students explore how everyday tools make work easier! In this hands-on project, kids dive into the world of pulleys, levers, wheels, and more to understand the science behind motion, force, and mechanical advantage.
About This Project
What Can Kids Learn from the “Simple Machines” Project?
⚙️ The 6 Types of Simple Machines:
- Lever
- Pulley
- Wheel and Axle
- Inclined Plane
- Wedge
- Screw
🧠 Mechanical Advantage: Understand how machines reduce effort to do work.
🔍 Real-Life Examples: Discover simple machines in bicycles, scissors, ramps, bottle openers, and more.
📐 Basic Physics Concepts: Explore force, motion, resistance, work, and efficiency.
🛠️ Hands-On Design: Build mini machines or models to see how they function in action.
📊 Problem Solving & Testing: Predict outcomes, run tests, and analyze how different setups perform.
Why It’s a Powerhouse STEM Project:
Kids love building and testing! Simple Machines takes mechanical concepts off the page and puts them in their hands. It encourages creativity, logic, and a deeper understanding of how tools and machines shape our everyday lives.
Let’s get building and discover the simple secrets behind powerful machines!
Full Article
Video
Material List
Instructions
Question for thought:
Why is our device suitable for people to use all over the world? What are its advantages and what are its limitations?
