Balance the broomstick

This resource focusses on learners working out whether creatures and objects with different masses will successfully balance a lever, in this case the witch’s broomstick.

In this activity learners will make use of the theme of Halloween to learn how a simple lever works and how it can be balanced. They will work through a series of examples to see whether different animals sat at each end of the broomstick will balance it or not. They will then find as many ways of balancing the broomstick as possible, using a given set of creatures, animals and objects with different masses.

This activity could be used as a main lesson activity to teach about simple levers and how they work, or to introduce the concept of levers, mass and balancing. It could also be used as part of wider scheme of learning focussed on simple mechanical systems and/or the use of mathematics in context.

Activity: Use maths to balance a lever supporting different loads

Learners will make use of the theme of Halloween to learn how a simple lever works and how it can be balanced. They will work through a series of examples to see whether different animals sat at each end of the broomstick will balance it or not. They will then find as many ways of balancing the broomstick as possible, using a given set of creatures, animals and objects with different masses.

Tools/supplies needed:

• Pens and pencils
• Paper or exercise books

For the extension, investigate the effect of moving animals up and down the broomstick.

The Engineering Context

Engineers need to be able to understand and apply mechanical principles so they can use them when solving problems. For example, how levers work and how they can be used in the design of different mechanical systems.
Engineers need to understand basic mathematical concepts, such as how units of measurement are used, and how these principles are applied in context.

Suggested learning outcomes

This resource combines Science, Design and Technology and Engineering with Mathematics, with the aim that the learners will be able to understand how a simple lever works and understand how to balance a lever with different masses.

Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources

All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.

The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

You can download our step-by-step instructions as a classroom lesson plan and PowerPoint presentation.

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