Exploring with simple machines!

In this activity the children hammered screws or nails into real wood and then pry them out or screw them out with a screw driver or hammer. Last week the children hammered golf tees into styrofoam. Switching to real nails and screws was clealy more challenging for the children. They embraced the challenge and became very excited and focused while hammering away! Screwing the nails out of the wood was initially awkward for them as they tried to manipulate each screw out of the wood by twisting and swirling the screw driver with their two hands. Simple machines encourage scientific exploration and the construction of physical knowledge. With simple machines, children can perform a physical action, lifting a heavy object with a screw (a spiral inclined plane). It can lift a heavy object easily, as when a car jack that utilizes a crank lifts an automobile. Observing the children as they interact with the materials, and asking pertinent question to delve into their thinking, has been an enjoyable experience!