Ancient Greece Simple Machine STEM Challenge
Take your students on an educational journey to Ancient Greece with this complete lesson! Read the letter from fictitious travel guides explaining the history of the Greek mathematician Archimedes and introducing simple machines.
Grades: Kindergarten - 5th; Homeschool
Teaching Duration: 2 hours
“Awesome lessons! I partnered with the history teacher for this unit, and our students loved all the activities. Such a great way to connect history, geography, and engineering challenges. ”
Lesson overview
Ancient Greece STEM Activity! Now includes digital journals.
Take your students on an educational journey to Ancient Greece with this complete lesson! Learn more about STEM Explorers here.
STEM Story: Read the letter from fictitious travel guides explaining the history of the Greek mathematician Archimedes and introducing simple machines.
Science Connection: Students will learn about forces and the six simple machines as they complete demonstration activities and build a simple machine playground!
STEM Fun: A simple machine scavenger hunt helps solidify their understanding before students dive into the mission.
Engineering Challenge: Using the engineering design process, student teams are then tasked with designing various playground equipment that represents each simple machine-- a seesaw is a lever, a merry-go-round is a wheel and axle, etc!
STEM Careers: Students also learn about the STEM careers of mechanical engineering and material science to bring in a real-world STEM connection. The included mission-related math problems extend the learning fun!
Editable student handouts!
**Save and buy the entire series of STEM and history lessons - click for the STEM Explorers Curriculum Bundle!
As with many STEM activities that are student-driven, this challenge can be tailored to students of various skill levels and abilities.
Included in this product:
Detailed teachers guide with links to resources
Grading rubric for the engineering design process
STEM Career Connections
Demonstration activity instructions
Student handouts to guide them through the engineering design process
Activity worksheets
Editable Digital & Printed handouts in Google Slides
Math extension problems
Required Materials for Challenge: tape, scissors, paper plates, craft sticks, binder clips, string, straws, paper, pipe cleaners, cardboard tube, craft sticks, spoons, rubber bands, paperclips, and paper cups.
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Looking for more STEM lessons? Find the Vivify resource guide here: bit.ly/VivifyResourceGuide
