Experimenting with Simple Machines

Reneé B. Meloche is an instructional consultant with the Halton Board
of Education.

This seven-volume series provides easy-to-follow, hands-on science
activities that explore elementary science units in fun and interesting
ways. Most of the materials required for the experiments are readily
available, and the directions are clearly described. “Try This
Yourself” challenges include such fun activities as how to make a
small object float in the middle of a glass of water, or “lifting” a
heavy book off a table without using your hands!

Classroom paper-airplane contests are suggested, as well as proposals
for Rube Goldberg designs to illustrate the concept of simple machines.
Extensive diagrams, tables, and photographs are well labeled and help to
illustrate more difficult concepts. Relevant and comprehensive
back-ground information is explained in simple, appropriate language.
The necessary safety precautions are included and a “Test Your
Knowledge” section completes each unit. Recommended.