Lever Cowboy

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In this activity, learners build a figure that moves and "comes to life" when they pull its string. This engineering activity introduces learners to simple machines, specifically levers, as well as animal anatomy (bones and muscles) and locomotion. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org.]

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
1 to 2 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per student
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • 12 craft sticks
  • 1 baseboard
  • 1 small block of wood
  • 9 pushpins
  • glue stick
  • 12" dowel, 1/4"
  • 1 bead
  • string
  • cardboard
  • masking tape
  • markers
  • scissors

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Mechanical Engineering
  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Animals
    • Human Body
      • Skeleton
      • Muscles and Skin
  • Physical Sciences
    • Energy
      • Work and Machines
    • Motion and Forces
      • Machines
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
  • The Nature of Technology
    • The Design Process
      • Invention and Innovation
      • Problem Solving
      • Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Informal Categories

  • Animals
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Toys

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop, 2011

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