Copyright 2015 Mighty Media Press
Published by Mighty Media Kids, an imprint of Mighty Media Press, a division of Mighty Media, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission,
except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, write to Mighty Media Press,
1201 Currie Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA, www.mightymediapress.com.
The Lexile Framework for Reading
Lexile Measure 640L
LEXILE, LEXILE FRAMEWORK, LEXILE ANALYZER and the LEXILE logo are trademarks of MetaMetrics, Inc., and are registered in
the United States and abroad. The trademarks and names of other companies and products mentioned herein are the property of their
respective owners. Copyright 2011 MetaMetrics, Inc. All rights reserved.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Doudna, Kelly, 1963- author.
The kids book of simple machines : cool projects & activities that make science fun! / Kelly Doudna.
pages cm
Includes index.
Audience: K-3.
ISBN 978-1-938063-59-6 (hardcover : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-1-938063-60-2 (ebook : alk. paper)
1. Simple machines--Juvenile literature. I. Title. II. Title: Simple machines.
TJ147.D67 2015
621.8--dc23
2015016216
ISBN: 978-1-938063-59-6 (pbk. : alk. paper)
978-1-938063-60-2 (electronic)
Cover design by Anders Hanson, Mighty Media, Inc.
Art direction and book design by Kelly Doudna, Mighty Media, Inc.
Photo credits: Artwork Copyright and Rube Goldberg Inc. All Rights Reserved. RUBE GOLDBERG is a registered
trademark of Rube Goldberg Inc. All materials used with permission. rubegoldberg.com; Agence Rol; Aneese/Shutterstock;
Bobak HaEri; Gary Lee Todd; Harland & Wolff Shipyard; Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock; Kelly Doudna; Maros Markovic/
Shutterstock; Metsfan84; Shutterstock; The Yorck Project
The following manufacturers/names appearing in this book are trademarks: Arrow, Burpee, Coca-Cola,
Craft Smart, DecoColor, DeWALT, Diet Coke, Duck Tape, John Deere, Paper Mate
Printed and Manufactured in the United States
North Mankato, Minnesota
Distributed by Publishers Group West
First Edition
Contents
SIMPLE MACHINES 6
Spotlight: Archimedes
Six Simple Machines
Spotlight: Galileo Galilei
Work Like a Scientist
WHAT YOU NEED 12
A Note to Young Scientists
WHAT IS A LEVER? 16
Everyday Levers
Spotlight: Scissors
1-2-3 I See
Lifting with Levers
Lever Launcher
Hanging in the Balance
WHAT IS AN INCLINED PLANE? 36
Everyday Inclined Planes
Spotlight: Pinball Machine
Fabulous Force Finder
Tabletop Pinball
Copyright 2015 Mighty Media Press
Published by Mighty Media Kids, an imprint of Mighty Media Press, a division of Mighty Media, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, write to Mighty Media Press, 1201 Currie Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA, www.mightymediapress.com.
The Lexile Framework for Reading
Lexile Measure 640L
LEXILE, LEXILE FRAMEWORK, LEXILE ANALYZER and the LEXILE logo are trademarks of MetaMetrics, Inc., and are registered in
the United States and abroad. The trademarks and names of other companies and products mentioned herein are the property of their
respective owners. Copyright 2011 MetaMetrics, Inc. All rights reserved.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Doudna, Kelly, 1963- author.
The kids book of simple machines : cool projects & activities that make science fun! / Kelly Doudna.
pages cm
Includes index.
Audience: K-3.
ISBN 978-1-938063-59-6 (hardcover : alk. paper) -- ISBN 978-1-938063-60-2 (ebook : alk. paper)
1. Simple machines--Juvenile literature. I. Title. II. Title: Simple machines.
TJ147.D67 2015
621.8--dc23
2015016216
ISBN: 978-1-938063-59-6 (pbk. : alk. paper)
978-1-938063-60-2 (electronic)
Cover design by Anders Hanson, Mighty Media, Inc.
Art direction and book design by Kelly Doudna, Mighty Media, Inc.
Photo credits: Artwork Copyright and Rube Goldberg Inc. All Rights Reserved. RUBE GOLDBERG is a registered
trademark of Rube Goldberg Inc. All materials used with permission. rubegoldberg.com; Agence Rol; Aneese/Shutterstock;
Bobak HaEri; Gary Lee Todd; Harland & Wolff Shipyard; Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock; Kelly Doudna; Maros Markovic/
Shutterstock; Metsfan84; Shutterstock; The Yorck Project
The following manufacturers/names appearing in this book are trademarks: Arrow, Burpee, Coca-Cola,
Craft Smart, DecoColor, DeWALT, Diet Coke, Duck Tape, John Deere, Paper Mate
Printed and Manufactured in the United States
North Mankato, Minnesota
Distributed by Publishers Group West
First Edition
Contents