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Science · Grade 6

Materials, Structures and Mechanisms

Learners equip a school's outdoor classroom. They choose materials by matching whole property profiles (strength, stiffness, density, toughness, durability, conductivity, cost) to requirements, using density data from a float simulation; explain tension, compression, triangulation, trusses and deep beams; and use levers, pulleys, wheels and axles and gears, calculating ideal mechanical advantage and the force-for-distance tradeoff. An optional Going further lesson calculates work, efficiency and compound gear ratios.

  • 5 lessons
  • About 120 minutes
  • Materials, structures and mechanisms check: 11 questions
  • Ways to answer: choose an answer, label a picture, match pairs, type a number, sort into groups and true or false
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What learners will discover

  • Select materials for a purpose by comparing their properties (strength, stiffness, density, hardness, toughness, durability, thermal conductivity and cost) with the requirements, using data rather than habit.
  • Explain how tension and compression act in structures, and why triangulation, trusses, arches and deeper beams make structures rigid and strong for the material used.
  • Identify the fulcrum, effort and load in the three classes of lever and calculate ideal mechanical advantage and effort, explaining the force-for-distance tradeoff.
  • Use pulleys, wheels and axles and gears to change the size, direction or speed of a motion, calculating ideal mechanical advantage, rope distances and gear ratios.

Lessons

  1. Choosing materials by their properties 10 steps5 practiceabout 26 min
  2. Structures: tension, compression and triangles 9 steps4 practiceabout 24 min
  3. Levers and mechanical advantage 8 steps5 practiceabout 24 min
  4. Pulleys, wheels and gears 9 steps5 practiceabout 24 min
  5. Going further: work, efficiency and gear trains 8 steps4 practiceabout 18 min
  6. Materials, structures and mechanisms check 11 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

  • Marble MountainLay straights, curves, drops and splitters to roll marbles down the mountain.
  • Bridge LabBuild a bridge from beams, brace it with triangles, and stay on budget.
  • Circuit Workshop 3DWire up batteries, bulbs and switches on a 3D workbench.

More 6th grade science

Guide for grown-ups