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Children's Engineering:
Simple Machines & Mechanisms Basics
The links below are intended to provide background knowledge to in-service teachers taking JMU Course ISAT 501. Sites are not listed in any particular order.
(Adults should ALWAYS preview sites before providing them to children.)

Ed Heads Simple Machines

Simple Machines Glossary Page
http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/glossary.htm

Simple Machines Teacher’s Guide
http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/teacher.htm

The Compound Machine
Learn how forces and simple machines can work together.
http://www.edheads.org/activities/odd_machine/

MIKIDS.com  - Simple Machines
http://www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm
Descriptions of 6 simple machines.

Simple Machine Construction Site  Undergoing  Reconstruction
http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ekandyhig/sm/index.htm
Online activites and classroom ready lessons.

Simple Machines Learning Site
http://www.coe.uh.edu/archive/science/science_lessons/scienceles1/finalhome.htm
Explanations of simple machines and on-line quiz.

Marvelous Machines
http://www.Galaxy.net/~k12/machines/
Lesson plans and activities for Pulleys, Gears, Levers, Inclined Planes, and the Screw.
Level: Primary, Junior

Exploring Leonardo

Inventor's Tool Box - Simple Machines
http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/InventorsToolbox.html  

Gadget Academy
http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/GadgetAnatomy.html
An on-line test of simple machines found in  household gadgets.

Classroom Activity: Sketching Gadger Anatomy
http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/SketchGadgetAnatomy.html

Simple Machines The Franklin Institute
http://sln.fi.edu/qa97/spotlight3/spotlight3.html

Simple Machines - Game
Harcourt School Publishers
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/machines/simple_machines.htm

TEACH Engineering Lesson: Engineering: Simple Machines
http://teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=http://www.teachengineering.org/collection
/cub_/lessons/cub_simple/cub_simple_lesson01.xml

MECHANISMS - Gears - Pulleys - Levers - Linkages -Cranks - Cams - Springs

Science Cycling
http://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/index.html
Click on drivers and gears to  read about the function of gears on a bike.

Flying Pig      
http://www.flying-pig.co.uk/ (home -  check for FREE downloads)
http://www.flying-pig.co.uk/mechanisms/index.html   Part of “Flying Pig” website. Specifically describes and demonstrates the different mechanisms and motion created as well as transferring motion.

Technology Student.com
Mechanisms
http://www.technologystudent.com/index.htm (home) This site is always being updated. Visit often.
http://www.technologystudent.com/cams/camdex.htm
This link will take you to mechanisms.  Each link goes to an animated example.
Gears & Pulleys
http://www.technologystudent.com/gears1/geardex1.htm

d&t online mechanisms
http://www.dtonline.org/apps/infopage/app?3&6&1&0&1&0

How Stuff Works -Gears
http://www.howstuffworks.com/gears.htm

How Gear Ratios Work
http://www.howstuffworks.com/gears.htm
An on-line look at gears, ratio, planetary gears.

Putting Gears to Work
http://science.howstuffworks.com/gear-ratio1.htm

Gear Trains
http://science.howstuffworks.com/gear-ratio3.htm

Different Types of Levers & Linkages
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/dt/mechanisms/lever%20linkage.html
Worksheets can be downloaded. Directions are given step-by-step with animation and voiceovers.

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