Grades 2–5
Paper Tower Challenge
An engineering challenge: plan, build, test and improve the tallest tower from ten sheets of paper.
Science worksheet · Simple machines and engineering
Simple Machines All Around
Name the simple machine in ten everyday things, from a seesaw to a jar lid.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–5
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Simple machines, Engineering design, Forces
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Write the simple machine you find in each thing.
- Find a simple machine in your classroom or home. Draw it and name it.
Words on this sheet
leverpulleyinclined planewedgescrewa seesawan axea jar lida zipper
Teacher tip
Send kids on a classroom hunt for simple machines after the sheet.
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?
- What question do you still have?
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 2–5
Paper Bridge Challenge
An engineering challenge: fold a paper bridge between two stacks of books and see how many pennies it holds.
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.
Grades 2–4
The Six Simple Machines
Label the lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, wedge and screw.
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