Science Activities for K-4
Simple Machines
How did the Ancient Egyptians build the pyramids?
The Ancient Egyptians built pyramids using different machines. These were not machines that ran on gas or electricity. They were machines that were used to make work easier. These machines were called simple machines.
In science, work is defined as a force acting on an object to move it across a distance. Pushing, pulling, and lifting are common forms of work.
The Ancient Egyptians had to do a lot of work in order to build a pyramid! They had to push, pull, and lift tons and tons of rock.
It was slow work, but they built the pyramids using the same simple machines we use today.
Use the K-4 Think Like an Egyptian activity booklet to introduce students to the different kinds of simple machines. Try the hands-on activity that helps them visualize how an inclined plane and a screw are actually shown on the simple machines page of the booklet. You can also view the entire activity booklet. Both documents are PDFs.
Check your school library for a copy of David Macaulay's classic book "Pyramid." (ISBN #0395214076) It's an excellent introduction and way to engage your students with the topic.