Overview

MODELS AND MACHINES

Wednesdays, January 25-April 26 (no class Feb 22, Apr 5; 12 weeks)

12:30pm-1:45pm

Ages 6-10

Students explore how we can use simple machines to manipulate forces like tension, friction, and gravity in order to make work easier. We engineer models of the six simple machines and examine how they are incorporated into our daily lives. All lab costs are included in registration fee.

Instructor: Q Collins, BSc

Location: Discover Science Center (suite 5)

Course fee: $220 OR $20/lab

10% sibling discount

Register for full semester or individual labs.


WEEK 1: Forces - Wednesday, January 25

Students learn how forces affect the way we move, lift, push, pull, or drop objects we interact with, and how machines can reduce the effort we must use.

WEEK 2: Inclined Plane - Wednesday, February 1

Students learn about how ramps make work easier and how different devices use this incline to get work done.

WEEK 3: Pulley - Wednesday, February 8

This week, students learn how pulleys make it easier to lift and lower people and heavy objects.

WEEK 4: Wheel and Axle - Wednesday, February 15

In this class, we focus on the simple machine that has helped all kinds of transportation move further and faster.

WEEK 5: Wedge - Wednesday, March 1

Students look at the wedge, and how these devices can be used to separate two objects or hold an object in place.

WEEK 6: Screw - Wednesday, March 8

Today we discuss a not-so-obvious simple machine as we learn how screws tighten and release.

WEEK 7: Lever - Wednesday, March 15

Students study how a rigid lever can rotate about a point in order to exert an effort, and how moving that point can change the lever’s effect.

WEEK 8: Car Tracks - Wednesday, March 22

This week, we take a look at how cars move and how tires affect the friction on tracks we design.

WEEK 9: Elevator - Wednesday, March 29

In this class, we examine how elevators are able to lift passengers between floors as we build a model lift.

WEEK 10: Catapult - Wednesday, April 12

Today we discuss how levers can be used to launch projectiles as we design and assemble catapults.

WEEK 11: Marble Run - Wednesday, April 19

Students learn and investigate the characteristics of a screw as they build a marble run based on a twisted ramp shape.

WEEK 12: Rube Goldberg - Wednesday, April 26

In our final class, we will find ways to use all six of our simple machines to create complex contraptions to do simple tasks.


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From Provider (2)
Reviews
4.7 (458)
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(SUMMER CAMP: OCEAN SCIENCE)
July 22, 2025 - Becca Howie
Verified Purchase
Wonderful program, we also really love the after school program, and this was the first time we’ve done the summer camp. Our kiddo loved Ocean Science! My only issue is the start time at 8:30 (vs 8:00 for others we do) makes it really hard to do this.
Discover Science Center
July 22, 2025
Dear Ms.Howie,
I'm so glad that your kid had a blast! I understand that the 8:30 start time can be difficult to navigate, and we are sorry for the inconvenience.
(SUMMER CAMP: OCEAN SCIENCE)
July 13, 2025 - Norma Christine minvielle turquie
Verified Purchase
Great experience and kids love it! The staff is so caring and lovely.
Discover Science Center
July 15, 2025
Ms. Minvielle,
Thank you so much for the kind words. We've really enjoyed the opportunity to teach your sweet kids over the last couple of weeks!
(SUMMER CAMP: ROCKS & DINOSAURS CAMP)
June 11, 2025 - Matthew Kettleman
Verified Purchase
Would recommend! Lots of activities and learning packed into 5 days! My son especially enjoyed geode smashing and building a dinosaur habitat.
Discover Science Center
June 26, 2025
Mr.Kettleman,
Thank you so for letting us teach your son at camp, I'm glad he had a blast!
Questions & Answers
Help pls we totally missed the time I thought It was at 3pm! Pls help any way that we can get the video to still do it pls
asked on Apr 05, 2020
Apr 06, 2020 - Tonya Shearer
Verified Purchase
So sorry you missed the workshop. Your registration is being refunded. Unfortunately, to protect the privacy of the students that were recorded during the meeting, we can not distribute the recorded meetings. Hope to see you in a different workshop! -
Can adult attend session with shy youngster in younger groups?
asked on Jan 24, 2020
Jan 24, 2020 - Tonya Shearer
Verified Purchase
Hi Deborah, Thanks for your message. It depends on which program you are inquiring about. Our Young Explorers classes (3-5 year olds) require parent participation during class. Parents sometimes stay for the first week of homeschool classes, and during Girl Scout workshops as well. Parents do not stay for after-school programs, Parents' Night Out or our camps. Hopefully, I covered the program you are interested in. If not, please let me know so I can clarify. Thanks for your interest, Tonya -
About Discover Science Center
Discover Science Center is an informal science education enrichment lab whose purpose is to supplement the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and…
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