Grades 6–12. Students learn there are more to levers than just seesaws and scissors as they explore first-, second- and third-class levers. This kit is a great introduction to the world of simple machines.
Lesson objectives:
Observe the mechanical advantage of a lever.
Calculate the mechanical advantage, ideal mechanical advantage, and percent efficiency of 4 different levers.
Classify levers as first-, second-, or third-class.
 
Extend this lesson by having students:
Measure the effort distance and resistance distance, to compare the work input to the work output
Use force sensors and graphing software for data collection and analysis
Create picture collages of levers encountered in everyday life (home, playgrounds, schools, sports fields, etc.), which incorporates art into the lesson (STEAM)
 
Teach the fundamentals of levers, a simple machine we encounter in our everyday lives. Students construct first-, second-, and third-class levers; measure the force needed to lift a load for each class; then calculate the mechanical advantage and efficiency of each. Kit includes instructions and levers for 15 student pairs. Needed but not supplied for each pair: spring scale, meter stick, 200-g hanging mass, and ring stand and clamp.