Grades 3–5
Ramp and Car Experiment
Roll a toy car down a ramp at three heights, measure how far it goes, graph it and explain.
Science worksheet · Simple machines and engineering
Paper Bridge Challenge
An engineering challenge: fold a paper bridge between two stacks of books and see how many pennies it holds.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–5
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Simple machines, Engineering design, Forces
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- The challenge: make two stacks of books 20 cm apart. Build a bridge from one sheet of paper (no tape!) that holds as many pennies as it can in the middle.
- Design 1: draw how you fold the paper.
- Design 2: try a new fold.
- Which fold was strongest? Why do you think it worked?
Teacher tip
Let kids fold, roll or pleat the paper. Compare which shape held the most pennies.
How to use it
- Bring in a ramp, a screw, a wedge and a pulley from the toolbox.
- Let kids test a lever with a ruler and a pencil before they write.
- Start with a two-minute “I notice, I wonder” talk about the picture on the sheet.
Watch for
Kids who judge a design by looks. Ask what the test results showed.
Talk about it
- Which simple machine would make this job easier?
- How could we find out if that is true?
Take it further
Hold a class build day with recycled boxes and tape.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More simple machines and engineering worksheets
Grades 2–4
The Six Simple Machines
Label the lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, wedge and screw.
Grades 2–5
Simple Machines All Around
Name the simple machine in ten everyday things, from a seesaw to a jar lid.
Grades 2–5
Paper Tower Challenge
An engineering challenge: plan, build, test and improve the tallest tower from ten sheets of paper.
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