What this lesson teaches
This activity teaches children how pulleys reduce effort when lifting. They can observe the mechanical advantage of a pulley system in action, linking practical experience to physics concepts.
Science in Action
Can you finish whirling wonders: the pulley challenge in about 25 min?
Whirling Wonders: The Pulley Challenge
You will this activity teaches children how pulleys reduce effort when lifting.
Duration25 min
Age GroupAges 10–11
DifficultyBeginner
SubjectScience
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What you need
How the activity runs
The learning connection
As children engage in building and using a pulley, they experience embodied cognition. Manipulating materials helps them visualize the principles of force and movement, reinforcing understanding through direct manipulation and observation.
Try it with your learner
1. Gather a strong string, a small bucket, and a sturdy support (like a table edge). 2. Tie one end of the string around the bucket handle. 3. Loop the string over the support, creating a pulley effect. 4. Add small weights (like stones) into the bucket, one by one. 5. Pull the free end of the string and lift the bucket — what do you notice? 6. Experiment with different weights — how does it change the effort needed?