Museum of Science and Industry

About the Lab

Students investigate how simple machines work using large-scale examples, and then test their knowledge to complete a challenge using levers, pulleys, inclined planes and more.

• Grades: 3rd - 5th
• Capacity: 30 students
• Duration: 70 minutes
• Cost: $120
• Offered Tuesday through Friday at 10:15 and 11:45 a.m.

Download the lab guide

• Simple Machines (PDF)

Illinois Learning Standards

The content of this lab aligns with the following Illinois Learning Standards:
4: A, B; 5: A, B, C; 7: B, C; 10: A, B; 11: A, B; 12: C, D; 13: A, B

Pre- and Post-Visit Activities

• Door as Lever (PDF)
• Make a Pulley (PDF)

Additional Resources 

MSI's Simple Machines game

Help Twitch finish his tasks by using found objects to create simple machines in our original game. 
www.msichicago.org/simplemachines

Other Links

Edheads: Check out the Simple Machine and Odd Machine sections
www.edheads.org

Rube Goldberg
www.rubegoldberg.com

Field trip resources

Use the documents below to plan a simple machines-themed visit to MSI:

• Simple Machines Student Guide (PDF)
• Simple Machines Pre-Visit Activities (PDF)
• Simple Machines Chaperone Guide (PDF)