Help for my daughter's school project

[gandros]

Hi,

My daughter needs to build a machine that includes all the following simple devices: A lever, wheel and axel, a screw, a pulley and an incline plane.

Do you have any ideas of a science project that would fill the above requirements?

Thanks for your time,

Greg

[jessicahua]

I think you can try to make a roller coaster ...however, I am not positive. I'll post more info later.

[jessicahua]

Hello again!

You can try the roller coaster idea, but you would have to alter it I believe to include everything you need: pulleys, levers, screws... Also, you can try to make like a mousetrap or something like that like the game. However, if you don't want to copy that idea...you can use the concept from the game and use it for something else. For example...to cut something.

I hope this is clear and it helps!

[gandros]

Jessica,

Thanks for the tips. You've definitely given me some good ideas.

Greg

[Ceal Craig]

Consider a "Rube Goldberg" kind of device. One that simply moves a ball around, like a ball bearing or a marble, from one point to another.

The function of the overall system is not likely to be critical. What will be important is using all the various devices. Have fun with it. Consider using pipe insulation foam as a carrier (it's easily cut w/ scissors), or some other kind of tubing that can easily be cut.

"Car" path could vary depending on whether it's a ball bearing or marble (size and weight are different). Lots of variabilty there.

Sort of like a roller coaster, but could using chain, you could add power back in midway (a roller coaster doesn't do that; highest hill is first hill).

Check out this website for some ideas on setup of your coaster like device.
http://www.funderstanding.com/k12/coaster/