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Other Field Trip Activities

Guide to Simple Machines

Although the Museum does not have an exhibit focused specifically on the study of simple machines, teachers can find related learning experiences throughout the Exhibit Halls. This guide offers a selection of activities for you and your students to use on your visit, including Simple Machine Tic Tac Toe and Modeling Simple Machines. The guide incorporates visits to the Archimedean Excogitation kinetic sculpture, the Clark Collection of Mechanical Movements Models, Science in the Park, Investigate! , and New England Habitats.

Follow the link below to download the guide.

Format Field Trip Activity
Grades 2 – 4
Author n/a
Location Museum of Science — Museum of Science, Boston
Website n/a
Documents MOS Guide to Simple Machines.pdf

Guide to Simple Machines

+ View Detailed Standard Connections

Primary Connections:

ITEA Standards For Technological Literacy (2000)
(National)

  • The Designed World > Energy and power technologies (Grade: 3 – 5)

MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)

  • Technology/Engineering > Materials and Tools (Grade: 3 – 5)
  • Technology/Engineering > Materials and Tools (Grade: 3 – 5)
  • Technology/Engineering > Engineering Design (Grade: 3 – 5)

Secondary Connections:

ITEA Standards For Technological Literacy (2000)
(National)

  • The Nature of Technology > Core concepts of technology (Grade: 3 – 5)

MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)

  • Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) > Position and Motion of Objects (Grade: K – 2)

National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)

  • Physical Science > Position and motion of objects (Grade: K – 4)

– View Concise Standard Connections

Primary Connections:

ITEA Standards For Technological Literacy (2000)
(National)

  • The Designed World > 16.D Energy and power technologies (Grade: 3 – 5)
    Tools, machines, products, and systems use energy in order to do work.

MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)

  • Technology/Engineering > 1.0 Materials and Tools (Grade: 3 – 5)
    Broad Concept: Appropriate materials, tools, and machines extend our ability to solve problems and invent.
  • Technology/Engineering > 1.3 Materials and Tools (Grade: 3 – 5)
    Identify and explain the difference between simple and complex machines, e.g., hand can opener that includes multiple gears, wheel, wedge gear, and lever.
  • Technology/Engineering > 2.1 Engineering Design (Grade: 3 – 5)
    Identify a problem that reflects the need for shelter, storage, or convenience.

Secondary Connections:

ITEA Standards For Technological Literacy (2000)
(National)

  • The Nature of Technology > 02.K Core concepts of technology (Grade: 3 – 5)
    Tools and machines extend human capabilities, such as holding, lifting, carrying, fastening, separating, and computing.

MA Science and Technology/Engineering Framework (2006)
(Massachusetts)

  • Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) > 04 Position and Motion of Objects (Grade: K – 2)
    Demonstrate that the way to change the motion of an object is to apply a force (give it a push or a pull). The greater the force, the greater the change in the motion of the object.

National Science Education Standards (1996)
(National)

  • Physical Science > Position and motion of objects (Grade: K – 4)
    The position and motion of objects can be changed by pushing or pulling. The size of the change is related to the strength of the push or pull.

Guide to Simple Machines

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Guide to Simple Machines

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Guide to Simple Machines

List of Related Offerings

Format:
Exhibit
Grades:
1 - Adult
New England Habitats
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Format:
Exhibit
Grades:
K - Adult
Natural Mysteries
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Format:
Exhibit
Grades:
Pre-K - Adult
Science In The Park
This park-like setting invites visitors to run, jump, swing, and use familiar objects like playground equipment and bicycle parts to investigate the pushes and pulls of everyday life: the forces that set things in motion, stop their motion, or hold them in place. This permanent exhibit, developed ... (details)
Format:
Exhibit
Grades:
K - 12
Clark Collection of Mechanical Movement Models
This set of working models was designed by American engineer William M. Clark in the early 1900s. Originally numbering over 200, these models were displayed as the Mechanical Wonderland in New York in 1928 and at the Century of Progress Exhibition in Chicago in 1933. Today, 120 of these mechanical models ... (details)
Format:
Exhibit
Grades:
Pre-K - Adult
Investigate!
With activities and experiments that are both fun and educational, this highly interactive exhibit gives visitors practice in thinking like a scientist. We provide equipment and materials to do a variety of investigations with some ideas on how to get started. From there, it's up to you to decide where to go ... (details)