HANDS-ON SIMPLE MACHINES

We had a wonderful experience today when a volunteer named Mr. Woodley came in to demonstrate simple machines. He also taught us about Archimedes and the original simple machines. In fact, the first list of simple machines included only: inclined plane, wedge, wheel, lever and screw. He then showed us how the first screw was actually a pump. It was used to draw water from the river to irrigate fields. 

Mr. Woodley also showed us how a sexton works. It is a series of levers and that helped mariners to pinpoint their location when out to sea.

He gave us many hands-on experiences with each simple machine so we could actually feel how they trade distance for effort.

Then he showed us some real life compound machines that use multiple simple machines to work.

Thank you Mr. Woodley. We learned a great deal from you.