Elementary School Physical Science Laboratory (by date, latest first)

Simple machines have been the building blocks of more complex machines throughout the years. The gear is one of the most fundamental of the simple machines. Gears can help transfer power, increase or decrease speed and/or power, and change the direction of movement by simply working together.

Your students can experience gears through this activity as they build FOUR different gear sets .

1. Understanding how connected gears affect direction.

2. Compound Gear Train - gear input and output on the same side of a wall

3. Reverted Gear Train - input and output gears on same plane, but not directly connected

4. Large Gear Train - demonstrates Mechanical Advantage and directions of gears

Student Friendly! Easy to follow build directions!

ZIP File includes Student Handout and Teacher Answer Key

One "mini" lab that will help students observe and make connections that all objects have energy, even when they are not moving.

Materials Needed

Plastic Bowl

Sand

Assorted rocks and pebbles

Ruler

These short activities reinforce or introduce concepts to students. I call these activities “mini labs” because they are simple activities that do not take the whole class period. They are also activities that are safe for use in the classroom and do not have to be done in a lab or with any specialty equipment or materials. I often use these demonstrations to lead into new content, that way as we cover material I can refer back to the things that my students have experienced first hand.

Distance learning or need a digital copy to assign?

• No problem! This activity now includes a Google Slides options! Ready to go, no prep needed from you!

Three Forms of Use Included

1. Printable PDF
2. Google Slides

Can be used to support NGSS: MS-PS3

One "mini" lab that will help students observe and make connections that particles in matter move faster at high temperatures than at low temperatures

These short activities reinforce or introduce concepts to students. I call these activities “mini labs” because they are simple activities that do not take the whole class period. They are also activities that are safe for use in the classroom and do not have to be done in a lab or with any specialty equipment or materials. I often use these demonstrations to lead into new content, that way as we cover material I can refer back to the things that my students have experienced first hand.

Distance learning or need a digital copy to assign?

• No problem! This activity now includes a Google Slides options! Ready to go, no prep needed from you!

Three Forms of Use Included

1. Printable PDF
2. Google Slides

Materials needed:

-Two cups

-Hot water

-Cold water

-Eyedropper

-Food Coloring

-Colored Pencils