Bucket Lift Slides
AXLE POWER
The "Save the Bucket" Challenge
The Book Mystery
HEAVY OBJECT
How can we lift it?
The book is tied to a string. You cannot touch the string or the book directly.
"What tools could help us work smarter, not harder?"
Simple Machines
Pause at 0:08
Embedded media
How does it work?
The Definition
A machine made of two circular objects of different sizes.
WHEEL
The Big Circle
AXLE
The Rod
The Mechanical Advantage
The large wheel radius multiplies our force!
Pause Question
Where is the bucket? How does turning the handle bring it up?
SAVE THE BUCKET!
The Mission
Build a windlass (a lifting machine) that can raise a cup of pennies from the floor to your table.
Your Tools
Plastic Bottles
Wooden Dowels
String & Tape
Paper Cups
30:00
MINUTES REMAINING
Work together. Test. Fix. Repeat.
Mission Debrief
01
The Friction Point
What was the hardest part of building the axle so it would spin smoothly?
02
The Handle Secret
Did using a bigger handle (larger wheel) make it easier to lift the pennies?
Bucket Rescue Journal
Bucket Rescue Journal
Simple Machines • Wheel & Axle
Engineer:
Date:
The Mission
Design and build a wheel and axle machine to lift a cup of pennies from the floor to the table top.
Phase 1: Blueprint
Sketch your design below. Label the Wheel and the Axle.
Material Scan
- Plastic Bottle (The Frame)
- Wooden Dowel (The Axle)
- Cardboard/Lid (The Wheel)
- String, Tape, & Cup
Pro-Tip!
If the axle doesn't spin, check where it touches the frame. Is it too tight? Is there too much friction?
Engineer Reflection
1 What was the hardest part of building the axle and making it spin?
2 Did a bigger handle (a larger wheel) make it easier to lift? Why or why not?
Mission Outcome
Success
Needs Tuning
Axle Expert Guide
Axle Expert Guide
Teacher Facilitation Manual
Level: Elementary
45 MIN
Learning Objective
Students will design, prototype, and test a simple machine using a wheel and axle mechanism to gain a mechanical advantage in lifting a heavy load.
Media Integration
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT\_5lICNVtw
Pause at 0:08 to discuss the "Well Diagram" (Windlass).
Gear List
- Heavy Book & String
- Plastic Bottles (Base)
- Wooden Dowels (Axle)
- Paper Cups & Pennies
- Cardboard Rounds
- Tape & Scissors
Mission Timeline
05
MIN
Warm-Up: The Hook
Show a heavy book tied to a string. Ask: "How can we lift this without touching the string or book?" Challenge them to think of tools that might wrap or pull.
Teacher Script
"If I just pull this string, my fingers might hurt. What if I had a handle to turn instead?"
05
MIN
Video & Analysis
Play the video. Pause at 0:08. Look at the well diagram.
- Identify the Wheel (the handle/crank)
- Identify the Axle (the cylinder that holds the rope)
- Ask: "Is the wheel bigger or smaller than the axle?" (Bigger)
30
MIN
Design Challenge: Save the Bucket
Students build a windlass.
Build Steps
- Puncture holes in bottle for dowel (Axle).
- Attach cardboard circle to one end of dowel (Wheel).
- Tape string to center of dowel.
- Hang cup of pennies from string.
Troubleshooting
- Friction: If it's stuck, make the holes in the bottle larger.
- Slipping: Use more tape to secure the wheel to the dowel.
- Torque: Try a larger cardboard circle for the wheel.
05
MIN
Reflection & Debrief
Students complete the Bucket Rescue Journal. Discuss the "Handle Secret"—how a larger circle makes the work feel lighter.
Discussion Anchor (Video 0:27)
"If the steering wheel in a car was the size of a donut, would it be harder or easier to turn? Why?" — Relate this back to their bucket lift handle size.
