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Future Factory

Juanita Martinez

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Future Factory Guide

Students will collaboratively design and build a simple machine to perform a real-life task, then identify related careers, boosting fine motor skills and problem-solving.

This STEAM project engages kindergarteners in hands-on learning, promotes collaboration, and introduces career awareness by linking simple machine design to real-world jobs.

Audience

Kindergarten

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Hands-on STEAM design challenge

Materials

  • Building Blocks Set, - Craft Sticks and Connectors, - Paper Plates and Plastic Cups, - Rubber Bands and String, - Glue and Tape, - Scissors (child-safe), - Machines at Work, - Build-a-Tool Challenge, - Tool Evaluation Criteria, and - How Does It Help?

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review the Machines at Work slide deck and the Build-a-Tool Challenge guidelines
  • Print or display the Tool Evaluation Criteria rubric and the How Does It Help? discussion prompt
  • Gather all building materials (building blocks, craft sticks, paper plates, plastic cups, rubber bands, string, glue, tape, child-safe scissors)
  • Arrange tables or floor space for small-group work

Step 1

Introduction & Career Connection

5 minutes

  • Gather students and show the first slides of Machines at Work
  • Discuss what a simple machine is and show 2–3 examples (lever, pulley)
  • Ask: “What jobs or tasks use these machines?” and note responses on chart paper

Step 2

Brainstorm & Design

5 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3–4 per group)
  • Give each group a copy of the Build-a-Tool Challenge
  • Prompt groups to choose one everyday task (e.g., lifting, carrying)
  • Ask them to sketch or describe their simple machine on paper

Step 3

Build Phase

20 minutes

  • Provide each group with building materials
  • Circulate and support fine motor skill development as they assemble their machines
  • Encourage trial and error: test, adjust, and improve designs

Step 4

Testing & Evaluation

5 minutes

  • Have groups demonstrate their machine performing the chosen task
  • Use the Tool Evaluation Criteria to guide simple feedback:
    • Functionality
    • Stability
    • Creativity

Step 5

Discussion & Career Link

5 minutes

  • Lead class discussion using the How Does It Help? prompt
  • Ask: “Which jobs might use machines like these?” and “How do these tools help people?”
  • Emphasize connections between engineering, construction, and other careers
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Project Guide

Build-a-Tool Challenge

Objective

Students will work in small groups to design and build a simple machine that completes an everyday task (like lifting, carrying, or moving objects).

Materials

  • Building Blocks Set
  • Craft Sticks and Connectors
  • Paper Plates and Plastic Cups
  • Rubber Bands and String
  • Glue and Tape
  • Scissors (child-safe)

Steps

  1. Choose a Task (1 minute)

    • Pick one simple job your tool will do (e.g., pick up a toy, lift a block, move a cup).

  2. Sketch Your Idea (2 minutes)

    • Draw your simple machine and label its parts.


  3. Plan Your Build (2 minutes)

    • Decide which materials you need and how you will use them.

  4. Build & Test (12 minutes)

    • Assemble your tool using the materials.

    • Test it, see if it works, then adjust and improve your design.

  5. Share & Reflect (3 minutes)

    • Demonstrate your machine to the class.

    • Explain how it works and what job it could help with.

Guiding Questions

  • What job will your tool help with?
  • Which materials will make your tool strong and steady?
  • How can you adjust your tool if it doesn’t work the first time?
  • Who (what worker or job) might use a tool like yours?

Reflection

  1. What part of building your tool went well?


  2. What would you change or improve next time?


  3. Which real-life job could use a tool like yours?





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Slide Deck

Machines at Work

Exploring Simple Machines and Their Jobs

Welcome, everyone! Today we will learn about simple machines—tools that help us do work. We’ll see different types of simple machines and talk about the jobs or tasks where people use them.

What Is a Simple Machine?

A simple machine is a tool that helps us make work easier by changing the way we push or pull.

Explain that a simple machine is any tool that helps make work easier by changing the amount or direction of force. Show a cup, then pretend to lift it with a stick as a lever.

Lever

• A lever is a stiff bar that rests on a support called a fulcrum.
• You push down on one end to lift something on the other end.
Example: A seesaw or hammer handle.

Show a seesaw or crowbar image. Explain how a lever works: the pivot point (fulcrum) and the long arm make lifting easier.

Pulley

• A pulley is a wheel with a rope or chain around it.
• It helps lift heavy things by pulling down on one end of the rope.
Example: Flagpole pulley or clothesline.

Use a curtain-pulley demonstration or draw a pulley on the board. Explain how it changes the direction of force.

Wheel & Axle

• A wheel and axle is a round object (wheel) attached to a rod (axle).
• When the wheel turns, the axle turns, making it easy to move things.
Example: Bicycle wheel or rolling cart.

Show a rolling toy car or wheel image. Explain that wheel and axle turn together to move loads.

Inclined Plane

• An inclined plane is a flat surface tilted at an angle.
• It lets you push or roll heavy objects up or down more easily.
Example: Ramp, slide, or sloping road.

Demonstrate with a ramp or draw a ramp. Explain how inclined plane lets you push objects up with less force.

Simple Machines at Work

• Lever: Used by carpenters (hammer)
• Pulley: Used by window washers (scaffolding)
• Wheel & Axle: Used by delivery drivers (hand truck)
• Inclined Plane: Used by movers (loading ramp)

Review each machine quickly. Ask students to name a job or task where they have seen each machine in action.

Let’s Find Jobs

Can you think of other jobs or tasks that use these machines?
Talk to your friends and share your ideas!

Invite students to look around or think of times they’ve seen these machines. Prepare to brainstorm in groups which machine they’d like to build.

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Rubric

Tool Evaluation Criteria

Scoring Scale: 1 = Needs Improvement, 2 = Good, 3 = Excellent

Criteria1: Needs Improvement2: Good3: Excellent
FunctionalityTool often fails to perform the task and requires significant adult help.Tool performs the task but may have minor issues or occasional help.Tool consistently and effectively completes the task independently.
StabilityTool is very unstable, wobbles excessively, or parts fall off.Tool is fairly stable but may wobble or shift slightly.Tool is sturdy and balanced during use.
CreativityDesign is very simple with little originality.Design shows some creativity and effective use of materials.Design is highly imaginative with unique use of materials.
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Discussion

How Does It Help? Discussion

Discussion Guidelines

  • Listen carefully to your friends.
  • Raise your hand and speak one at a time.
  • Use full sentences when sharing.

Main Questions

  1. Look at your group’s simple machine. Which job or worker might use a tool like this?


  2. How does this tool help people do their work? (Does it make lifting easier? Does it save time?)


  3. Who do you think designs or builds tools like these?


  4. What would happen if people didn’t have tools like this? How would they do their work?





Follow-Up Prompts

  • Can someone come up and show us how your machine works?


  • What part of your machine was the trickiest to build, and how did you solve that problem?


Tip: Use these sentence starters to help you speak:

  • “I think __________ because __________.”
  • “This tool helps by __________.”
  • “A __________ (job) would use this tool to __________.”
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