The study of simple machines begins in the elementary grades and never seems to end. It is one of those scientific staples that integrates so well into related disciplines, it has become a staple in textbooks and science kits no matter where you teach. And rightly so - simple machines can be as hands-on or as theoretical, as creative or as based in critical thinking as you like. It plugs into science fair projects nicely and makes for popular lab activities regardless of the age of your students.

With regard to WWW resources, the catch is that simple machine resources appear and disappear with annoying irregularity. The links I had on the topic just two years ago are half dead, and there's exciting new websites to take their place. I have tried to include something for elementary, middle and secondary students, although the bulk of the recommendations are suited for elementary students. Thanks to Jerry for his suggestions to this week's issue. Enjoy!

• BrainPop: Simple Machines - http://www.brainpop.com/tech/simplemachines/
  Here the BrainPop format is applied to simple machines with its animated graphics and colorful format. Of course there's a pop quiz and a movie explaining the science behind the machines. Levers and inclined planes are featured here.
• Inventor's Toolbox - http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/InventorsToolbox.html
  Part of the "Exploring Leonardo" site, Inventor's Toolbox covers the basics of simple machines as well as more sophisticated kinds of machines, and then applies them in examples of inventions by Leonardo himself and by viewing the "Gadget Anatomy" page where students can study complex machines.
• InQuiry Almanack: Simple Machines - http://www.fi.edu/qa97/spotlight3/spotlight3.html
  Philadelphia's Franklin Institute spotlights the six basic machines and the science behind each, with extra information on each machine and an occasional demonstration of a specific principal. This page has an attractive design and is appropriate for elementary aged students.
• Mechanisms and Simple Machines - http://www.cs.cmu.edu/People/rapidproto/mechanisms/chpt2.html
  Carnegie Mellon University offers this college-level explanation of simple machines and the principles of physics which take place behind their operation. The jargon is fairly technical and the sketches help to demonstrate the concepts being presented. Ideal for older students.
• Moving Along with Simple Machines - http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/cur/simp-mach/instruction.htm
  The teachers of Henry County, Georgia designed this four week elementary unit on simple machines, with very detailed lesson ideas, creative activities for demonstrating principles of simple machines, and connections across the curriculum to make learning more meaningful for students.
• Motion, Energy and Simple Machines - http://www.necc.mass.edu/MRVIS/MR3_13/start.htm
  Here's a more advanced look at simple machines, focusing on the laws of physics and some of the formulae used to calculate the work being done by simple machines. It is very linear in format and best utilized by older students who are ready to master more sophisticated concepts without all the bells and whistles of other sites.
• Simple Machines - http://library.thinkquest.org/J002079F/sub3.htm
  This ThinkQuest entry on the book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH takes students through explanations, pictures and animations of simple machines. Of particular interest to students will be the instructions for building a working elevator out of K'Nex building blocks.
• Simple Machines Made Simpler - http://www.smartown.com/sp2000/machines2000/
  SmartTown presents this brightly adorned, musically inclined site about each of the simple machines with crisp explanations and animated examples of each. There's an interactive quiz at the end which could offer more student feedback than it does, but it nonetheless does test students on basic understandings of machines and work.
• Toting the Log and Lifting the Bale - http://www.crpc.rice.edu/CRPC/GT/dawsonm/CAST/CAST95.html
  This workshop presented by the Science Teachers Association of Texas is all plain text and requires lots of scrolling. But the wealth of simple classroom applications here you can use to promote an understanding of simple machines is so worthwhile, I decided to include it in this week's picks. When you have time to kick back and survey all the ideas contained herein, do so!
• WebQuest: Get the Job Done: Use a Simple Machine! - http://www.memphis-schools.k12.tn.us/admin/tlapages/simplemachine.htm
  Here's a WebQuest that isn't too elementary or too advanced - it's just right for middle school! Students are challenged to able to solve a problem, create a book about simple machines for younger learners and construct their own machine. This is a three-student quest, with the roles of coach, recorder and researcher.
• WebQuest: Simple Machines - http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/hschool/webq/webq8/jjquest.htm
  Jane Catlin and John Walsh used this problem solving approach to explore definitions and examples of simple machines, asking students to make use of KidPix to design original contraptions that utilize at least two simple machines. Promotes higher order thinking skills.
• Work is Simple with Simple Machines - http://www.ed.uri.edu/SMART96/ELEMSC/SMARTmachines/machine.html
  This elementary unit by Rhode Island elementary educators Martha Baton, Stephanie McKiernan and Jolene Polidoro integrates the study of simple machines across the curriculum. The unit is thoughtfully designed with expected outcomes, identified benchmarks, activities in context and lots of local links with explanations and activities for students.
  

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