Simple Machines! With 25 Science Activities for Kids

Reviews

Library Thing
"Simple Machines is written for students to follow along and learn that everyday items in our lives such as a zipper and a fork are simple machines. The reader can make their own movable pulley as well as design a new invention. There are instructions for building a helicopter. They are encouraged to use their minds and imagination to figure out levers, inclined planes, wheels and axels, screws, wedges, and pulleys. This would be a great book for Science Fair projects or a beginning engineer resource for the younger grades. There are projects throughout this book as well as a timeline and a glossary in the back. Glossary words are highlighted in red and the student can look for the definition in the back of the book. I would recommend this for any collection looking for information on engineering for the younger grades or a resource for science projects." 4 Stars

School Library Connection
“Simple machines are a part of the science curriculum at multiple grade levels.  This book opens with a general explanation chapter and then includes an overview of forces, levers, inclined planes, wheels and axles, screws, wedges, and pulleys.  The book ends with a glossary, metric conversion chart, resources, essential questions, and an index.  The illustrations make it easy to understand the concepts and the text gives additional details.  Each chapter shows some historic use of the simple machine in addition to its current uses. QR codes are dispersed throughout and send readers to videos with additional info.  The projects will help youngsters get excited about the concepts and keep their hands busy.  Budding inventors, makers, and scientists will find this a volume they can use on their own to hone their skills.  Teachers will use it to help meet science standards.  Reading the book makes for a fun experience because it encourages so much action. Recommended”

Praise for a previous edition of Simple Machines!

National Science Teachers Association
“This is not your usual activity book. Written for the student, with inquiry in mind, the explanations are simple and easy to follow, and there is an explanation of what is happening and questions to extend the learning. I would use this book with young scientists in my class, and I would also put the materials in a center for young children to explore, make, and do . . . I honestly didn't think simple machines were fun or easy to understand. This book changed that for me and for my students.”