{"id":4419,"date":"2025-05-19T11:22:18","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T11:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/?p=4419"},"modified":"2026-07-22T15:38:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:38:32","slug":"simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Simple Machines Through JoVE\u2019s Hands-On Videos"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4419\" class=\"elementor elementor-4419\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef3dc91 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ef3dc91\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-081d7dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"081d7dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Exploring Simple Machines Through JoVE\u2019s Hands-On Videos\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7090152 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7090152\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44ee0c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"44ee0c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Bringing Motion to Life<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From lifting boxes with ramps to opening doors, simple machines make everyday actions easier. Yet, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/solutions\/middle-school\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">middle school<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> students often struggle to understand exactly how levers, pulleys, and inclined planes actually work\u2014unless they clearly see these machines in action.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides the solution. Through detailed animations, real-life demonstrations, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/standards\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">standards-aligned videos<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, JoVE helps teachers transform mechanical concepts into clear, engaging, hands-on lessons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83d\udcfa Browse <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/14293\/machines\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE\u2019s Simple Machines Science Video <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for Middle and High Schools<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e308475 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e308475\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d91503 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d91503\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Are Simple Machines and Why Teach Them Early?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8aa59f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f8aa59f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e1dcc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e1dcc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simple machines form the foundation of physics and engineering. They reduce the force needed to move objects, demonstrating essential scientific principles like<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/12641\/force\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> force<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/science-education-library\/2078\/newtons-laws-of-motion\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">motion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/13883\/energy-transfer-in-chemical-reactions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">energy transfer.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The six classic simple machines are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lever<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pulley<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wheel and axle<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inclined plane<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wedge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Screw<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clearly understanding these concepts helps students to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grasp mechanical advantage<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Predict force requirements<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Develop early engineering skills<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udfa5<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/14291\/frames-problem-solving-i\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Use JoVE\u2019s science video on Frames<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to visually demonstrate these tools with real-world examples and slow-motion breakdowns.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cff0c4e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cff0c4e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9673be1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9673be1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Activity 1 \u2013 Lever Lab: Find the Balance Point\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f94ac6e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f94ac6e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc6cc85 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bc6cc85\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Activity 1 \u2013 Lever Lab: Find the Balance Point<\/b><b><br \/><\/b><b>Objective:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Help students clearly see how lever arm length affects mechanical advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Materials:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meter stick<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fulcrum (block or eraser)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weights or washers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE demonstration video<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Instructions:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watch a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/14293\/machines\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE video<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that introduces the concept clearly.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set up a basic lever and adjust the positions of the weights.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Record observations and determine the lever\u2019s balance point.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discuss clearly how load placement affects required effort.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83d\udcda Connect this clearly to NGSS MS-PS3-1: &#8220;Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe relationships of kinetic energy to mass and speed.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee70e7c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ee70e7c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e597c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3e597c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Activity 2 \u2013 Build Your Own Pulley System<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e048aae e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e048aae\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-103b16b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"103b16b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Objective:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Clearly explore how pulleys reduce the force required to lift weights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Materials:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">String<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pulleys (or spools)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Small weights<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hook or hanger<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Instructions:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have students build both pulley types and compare effort.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clearly calculate how much less force is needed when adding more pulleys.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83d\udc69\u200d\ud83d\udd2c Reinforce learning with clear data charts and visual reflections.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-710bf5d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"710bf5d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b9b74c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2b9b74c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How JoVE Videos Support Simple Machines Instruction<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3de4456 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3de4456\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94061c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"94061c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE enhances teaching simple machines by providing:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 Clear visual learning through detailed animations<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 NGSS-aligned video lessons and activities<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 Hands-on experiments that students can replicate easily<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 Auto-graded quizzes for immediate assessment feedback<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83d\udcc8 Studies show students using JoVE videos improved pre\/post-lab performance by up to 100%, especially on topics like levers, pulleys, and force applications.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a8fb89 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4a8fb89\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28f2f9c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"28f2f9c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Common Misconceptions \u2013 Cleared with JoVE\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f9d1ab e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5f9d1ab\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29d3b0c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"29d3b0c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c <\/span><b>Misconception:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u201cPulleys always reduce effort.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 JoVE clarifies clearly: Only movable pulleys reduce effort; fixed pulleys change direction only.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u274c <\/span><b>Misconception:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u201cAll levers work the same way.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2705 JoVE demonstrates Class 1, 2, and 3 levers, clearly comparing placement of force, load, and fulcrum.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE\u2019s videos allow students to pause, replay, and rewind, unlike single, one-time demonstrations.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8203760 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8203760\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4ce115 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a4ce115\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> Crosscutting Concept \u2013 Cause and Effect in Simple Machines\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d199c3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8d199c3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17af355 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"17af355\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simple machines provide a clear way to explore the NGSS crosscutting concept of Cause &amp; Effect.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><b>Cause<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><b>Effect<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adding more pulleys<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces the force needed to lift an object<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increasing lever arm length<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces required effort force<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using an inclined plane<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spreads effort over a longer distance<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourage students to clearly predict and explain outcomes before and after conducting hands-on activities for simple machines.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bc16d5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6bc16d5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c22b548 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c22b548\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion \u2013 Empower Problem-Solving Through Hands-On Physics\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-833b8db e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"833b8db\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90fadd1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"90fadd1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By pairing JoVE\u2019s simple machines experiments with engaging classroom activities, educators empower students to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clearly visualize how forces operate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understand math and mechanics behind machines<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Solve real-world engineering challenges confidently<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83d\udd0d Ready to simplify physics instruction with clear visuals?<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \ud83d\udc49 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/share.hsforms.com\/1FyaUdqz3T3yuF-IuUZXDfwc2eur\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Book a Free Demo to Access JoVE\u2019s Full Video Library on Simple Machines and Physical Science<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No complicated setups\u2014just clear visuals, interactive lessons, and NGSS-aligned excellence.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Exploring Simple Machines Through JoVE\u2019s Hands-On Videos Bringing Motion to LifeFrom lifting boxes with ramps to opening doors, simple machines [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4420,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4419","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ngss-standards"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Simple Machines Experiments Classroom Guide | JoVE K12<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Teach simple machines with JoVE K12 videos that help students see how levers, pulleys, and inclined planes change force and work during class discussions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Simple Machines Experiments Classroom Guide | JoVE K12\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Teach simple machines with JoVE K12 videos that help students see how levers, pulleys, and inclined planes change force and work during class discussions.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"JoVE for K12\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-05-19T11:22:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-22T15:38:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Exploring-Simple-Machines-Through-JoVEs-Hands-On-Videos-1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Nikita\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Exploring Simple Machines Through JoVE\u2019s Hands-On Videos\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Nikita\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Nikita\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3\"},\"headline\":\"Exploring Simple Machines Through JoVE\u2019s Hands-On Videos\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-19T11:22:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-22T15:38:32+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":604,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Exploring-Simple-Machines-Through-JoVEs-Hands-On-Videos-1.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"NGSS Standards\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school\",\"name\":\"Simple Machines Experiments Classroom Guide | JoVE K12\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Exploring-Simple-Machines-Through-JoVEs-Hands-On-Videos-1.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-19T11:22:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-22T15:38:32+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3\"},\"description\":\"Teach simple machines with JoVE K12 videos that help students see how levers, pulleys, and inclined planes change force and work during class discussions.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Exploring-Simple-Machines-Through-JoVEs-Hands-On-Videos-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/Exploring-Simple-Machines-Through-JoVEs-Hands-On-Videos-1.png\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"Students exploring simple machines through video-based science lessons\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.jove.com\\\/schools\\\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Exploring Simple Machines Through JoVE\u2019s Hands-On Videos\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"JoVE for K12\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schools.jove.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3\",\"name\":\"Nikita\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Nikita\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Simple Machines Experiments Classroom Guide | JoVE K12","description":"Teach simple machines with JoVE K12 videos that help students see how levers, pulleys, and inclined planes change force and work during class discussions.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Simple Machines Experiments Classroom Guide | JoVE K12","og_description":"Teach simple machines with JoVE K12 videos that help students see how levers, pulleys, and inclined planes change force and work during class discussions.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school","og_site_name":"JoVE for K12","article_published_time":"2025-05-19T11:22:18+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-07-22T15:38:32+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Exploring-Simple-Machines-Through-JoVEs-Hands-On-Videos-1.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Nikita","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Exploring Simple Machines Through JoVE\u2019s Hands-On Videos","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Nikita","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school\/"},"author":{"name":"Nikita","@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#\/schema\/person\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3"},"headline":"Exploring Simple Machines Through JoVE\u2019s Hands-On Videos","datePublished":"2025-05-19T11:22:18+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-22T15:38:32+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school\/"},"wordCount":604,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Exploring-Simple-Machines-Through-JoVEs-Hands-On-Videos-1.png","articleSection":["NGSS Standards"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school\/","url":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school","name":"Simple Machines Experiments Classroom Guide | JoVE K12","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Exploring-Simple-Machines-Through-JoVEs-Hands-On-Videos-1.png","datePublished":"2025-05-19T11:22:18+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-22T15:38:32+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#\/schema\/person\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3"},"description":"Teach simple machines with JoVE K12 videos that help students see how levers, pulleys, and inclined planes change force and work during class discussions.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Exploring-Simple-Machines-Through-JoVEs-Hands-On-Videos-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Exploring-Simple-Machines-Through-JoVEs-Hands-On-Videos-1.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":"Students exploring simple machines through video-based science lessons"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/simple-machines-experiments-for-middle-school#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Exploring Simple Machines Through JoVE\u2019s Hands-On Videos"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/","name":"JoVE for K12","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/#\/schema\/person\/0ff4cdbe99d2228eccf9650bf05d0ce3","name":"Nikita","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/53c75525e86112c7ea0538346bc0d46d38de452f1042e3722927383fa7606ff8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Nikita"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4419","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4419"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4419\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}