Ergopedia Forces and Machines

The Ergopedia forces and machines module offers your students an extraordinary learning experience in physical science, mathematics, and engineering. Pre-prepped lesson plans, easy-to-use components, well-illustrated powerpoint slides, and ready-to-use activity sheets make this program both easy to teach and academically rich. This module covers basic physical science concepts starting with forces and balance. Through 16 lessons and projects, students work their way up to designing different machines which can lift a load with a force of no more than 1/10 the weight of the load. Engineering and technology is truly embedded throughout the curriculum. Mathematical reasoning is developed throughout using concepts such as ratios, fractions, proportion, and scale.
This rugged equipment is full of innovations that make it easy to use, and easy to teach. Specially designed attachment points make it easy to attach and remove strings. Parts attach to captured threads eliminating easily-lost nuts and bolts. Knobs are captured so they can’t get lost. Complex machines can be easily made by simply sliding gears and levers on hubs.
Forces and machines lessons include forces and weight, mechanical advantage and levers, second and third class levers, ropes and pulleys, work and energy, gears and geat ratios, gear machines, torque, rotating machines, a simple transmission, forces from springs (Hooke's law), sliding friction, equilibrium, forces at angles, cable car, Rube Goldberg machine and gear challenges.

The Forces and Machines set contains 2 triple-pulley blocks allowing up to a 6:1 advantage, friction block, 3 x 20-tooth gears, 2 x 40-tooth gears , 2 x 60-tooth gears, 2 balanced levers (20 cm length), 2 large pulleys (10 cm diameter), 2 right angle connectors with low-friction pulleys, 4 universal hubs for attaching gears and pulleys, 8 gear and pulley spacers, 1 universal hooks for connecting scales, masses, or strings, 2 extruded aluminum rails (27”) each with four “no-lose” easy-attach nuts, extra tripod base, extension spring (25 cm) and 2 high-quality metal spring scales (10 N).

The included software will run on Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Chromebook, and Android devices, except the Physics of Sound requires either a Windows or Mac OS X computer.

Ordering Information: The Teacher Kit includes one curriculum guide including student materials (for up to 150 students) and one complete set of Forces and Machines for one group (See above for material list). The Add-On Kit includes one complete set of Forces and Machines materials for one group. Additional items required per student group but not included (See accessory Tab below) are the Stand and the Weights.