Simple Machines | Pulleys: Operation Silent Descent | 5th Grade STEM Innovators

Simple Machines | Pulleys: Operation Silent Descent | 5th Grade STEM Innovators

In this hands-on challenge, students create a mechanical solution to solve a problem. The unit brings together engineering and physical science topics for an engaging design challenge. The challenge is to lower a figurine ("secret agent") using a pulley as quietly and controlled as possible.

Students begin by learning how they work and learning about mechanical advantage. Using what they learn, students then design, build, test, and improve their own pulley system. Through testing and data collection, they evaluate how well their designs function and make evidence-based improvements, just like real engineers!

Students Will Learn How to:

• How pulleys are used in rock climbing

• Explain why engineers want to use pulleys

• Conduct a scientific simulation adding pulleys to lift something

• Identify which property of pulleys was the most important in their design 

• Compare their original plan with what actually happened during testing

• Analyze why some pulley system designs were better at lowering their spy with precision and silence than others 

• Collect, record, and interpret data from their design tests

STEM Innovators Storyline (Adaptable for Grades 3 - 5): Agents, your mission begins now. The world’s top spy agency has recruited the brightest minds for a series of top-secret operations. Your task: design and engineer cutting-edge spy gadgets to crack codes, outsmart villains, and save the day. Succeed, and you’ll rise through the ranks to become an elite STEM Innovator, trusted with the world’s most classified missions.

A Mission to Design a Silent Descent: In this unit, students will learn about common characteristics of pulleys and their various uses. Students will complete mini labs with pulleys to spark their curiosity. They will then design and build their own pulley system to move their spy without being detected!

Engineering Learning Goals in this unit include:

• Real-World Connections: Learn that rock climbing uses pulley systems to help the climber stay safe, and about the international climbing and mountaineering federation (UIAA) and how they help to maintain safety in the sport of rock climbing.

• Making: Use a spool, string and cardboard to create a pulley system to lower an object. Re-design based on testing data.

• Habits of Mind: Work as a team to build a design that solves a problem. Communicate ideas and provide feedback to peers.

• Science: Learn the parts of a pulley, how to use a pulley to make work easier, and about pulleys in the real world.

• Technology: Learn about pulleys and how they are used to solve problems, how a pulley works, and that pulleys are used in so many everyday things.

• Math: Collect data of the design and use that data to make informed design changes, as well as multiplication, division, and patterns.

Included in this product:

• Aligned to: NGSS, TEKS, and ITEEA Standards

• Complete Teacher Guide following the engineering design process

• Materials list and activity suggestions

• Editable teaching slides

• Student handouts for each phase of the design process, including science background, STEM career connection, and more!

• Two versions of student badges for completing the mission: pre-colored or a black and white option for students to color themselves to celebrate!

Recommended Supplies:

Building Materials

• String

• Spool

• Straws

• Cardboard - cereal boxes - toilet paper rolls

• Paper cup

• Tape, rubber bands, paper clips

• Toy figurine and some sort of mass

• You can also purchase pulleys online if you prefer (purchasing link in teacher's guide)

Testing Materials

• Scale to find the mass of the input force and load

• Landing zone marked off under each pulley system (15 cm square)

• Ruler to measure height of pulley system

2021 Science TEKS Standards Alignment (Texas)

• Practices: 5.1A-F, 5.2D,5.5A

• Content: 5.7B,5.7C,5.8C