Pulley For the People
Introduction
• Title of the Lesson: “Pulley for The People”
• Grade Level: 6th
• TEKS : b.6.8.E investigate how inclined
planes and pulleys can be used to change
the amount of force to move an object.
• TEKs b.1a demonstrate safe practices during
laboratory and field investigations as
outlined in the Texas Safety Standards.
Engagement
• World’s Tallest Elevator
• Brainstorm and discuss with a
partner
• “What do you think a pulley is?”
Exploration
• What is a pulley? - Simple
Machines
• “How does the type of pulley
system affect the amount of
force needed to lift an object?
• Does a double pulley system
have more effect on the amount
of force needed to lift an object?
Exploration cont.
Materials
2 Single Pulleys, 1 Half Meter Stick, Tape, 1 Spring Scale, Rope, 1 Binder Clip, 1 weight
Procedure
1.
Set up the pulley base as directed by your teacher.
2. Build a single fixed pulley system.
3. Use the spring scale to find the force needed to lift the load.
4. Record in the data tab
5. Build a double pulley system using two fixed pulleys.
6. Use the spring scale to find the effort needed to lift the load.
7. Record in the data table.
Pulley System
Single
Fixed
Double
Fixed
Number of
Pulleys
Direction of
Force
Force Needed
to Move Load
W/O Pulley
Force Needed
to Move Load
W/ Pulley
Explanation
• Revisit: “Write a paragraph explaining why
your hypothesis was supported / not
supported using actual data from the
experiment.”
• Follow-up: “Why are pulleys helpful?” and
“What are some examples of pulley systems
that you have seen or know about in the real
world?
Elaboration
• Create your own pulley system!
Evaluation
• Informal: ongoing assessment by the teacher
throughout the lesson and the lab as students
work together in groups to check for
understanding and answer questions.
• Formal: evaluating the paragraph written
by students as they revisited their hypothesis
and checking if their hypothesis is supported
by evidence and their knowledge of how
pulleys work.
References
• Cplai. (2010, Nov 5). World’s Tallest Elevator
[Video file]. Video Posted to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WldqHQbrjU
U
• Macomi Kids. (2012, FEB 14). What is a pulley
[Video file]. Video Posted to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiBcur1aqcg
• National Science Teachers Association. BSCS 5E
Instructional Model. Retrieved from:
http://learningcenter.nsta.org/files/PB186X-4.pdf