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Engineering: How the Six Simple Machines Support the World
A fully illustrated book about simple machines for the next generation of engineers!
How do we build skyscrapers? How did ancient people construct pyramids? Why are gears an essential part of motors?
In How the Six Simple Machines Support the World , young engineers learn how mechanical, structural, civil, and other types of engineering are based on the six simple machines that humans have been using for thousands of years. The screw, pulley, wedge, wheel and axle, inclined plane, and lever are used to build roads, skyscrapers, bridges, engines, and even other tools. They are the building blocks on which more complicated machines are based. Without these six simple machines, the world would look far different and be much more work to navigate!
Dive deep into the history of simple machines, from ancient times to present day, and learn the physics behind how they increase efficiency and productivity through mechanical advantage. Hands-on STEM activities encourage use of the engineering design process as kids brainstorm and build practical prototypes and explore how we might employ simple machines in the future.
Additional materials include a glossary, a list of media for further learning, a selected bibliography, and index. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.
How do we build skyscrapers? How did ancient people construct pyramids? Why are gears an essential part of motors?
In How the Six Simple Machines Support the World , young engineers learn how mechanical, structural, civil, and other types of engineering are based on the six simple machines that humans have been using for thousands of years. The screw, pulley, wedge, wheel and axle, inclined plane, and lever are used to build roads, skyscrapers, bridges, engines, and even other tools. They are the building blocks on which more complicated machines are based. Without these six simple machines, the world would look far different and be much more work to navigate!
Dive deep into the history of simple machines, from ancient times to present day, and learn the physics behind how they increase efficiency and productivity through mechanical advantage. Hands-on STEM activities encourage use of the engineering design process as kids brainstorm and build practical prototypes and explore how we might employ simple machines in the future.
Additional materials include a glossary, a list of media for further learning, a selected bibliography, and index. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.
128 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2025
1 person is currently reading
About the author
Carla Mooney
297 books12 followersCarla Mooney is an award-winning author of numerous nonfiction STEAM books for kids and teens. She hopes to spark a healthy curiosity and love of nonfiction in youth.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 13, 2025
Classrooms need fun books like this one that makes STEM info fun. Interspersed with comics, the book is inviting to kids. It's also easy to read with sections broken down logically including bright colors and lots of images.
Wonder about a wheel? That pizza cutter you use at home? Yup, a wheel.
What about scissors? They're first-class levers!
Learn about how far back these simple machines go into history and see how they have helped civilizations.
The book can be read on many difefrent levels with some sections providing more simple information and others delving deeply. An extensive glossary is also helpful.
Wonder about a wheel? That pizza cutter you use at home? Yup, a wheel.
What about scissors? They're first-class levers!
Learn about how far back these simple machines go into history and see how they have helped civilizations.
The book can be read on many difefrent levels with some sections providing more simple information and others delving deeply. An extensive glossary is also helpful.
July 27, 2025
Starting with a two-page timeline, which highlights the major inventions throughout human history, this book takes a deep dive into six, very simple mechanisms and how they changed the world.
While inclined planes, screws, pulleys, wedges, levers, and wheels with axles may seem like overly simplified topics for the age group, this book proves how necessary the understanding of each one is for anyone, who enjoys engineering, creation, or simply making jobs easier to accomplish. Starting with the Egyptian pyramids, each mechanism is fully explained through historical and modern applications, and brought to life. The importance of each one in past and modern times becomes obvious, but this book goes beyond just the basic explanation and history. It also takes quick looks at everything surrounding the physics, mathematics, thought processes and more surrounding each one to give a fairly rounded (for the age group) look into the engineering and meaning behind each one.
While the main part of each page centers around the general information being presented, all sorts of extra explanations and facts are showcased in the sidebars. This includes everything from force/work equations to vocabulary terms to QR codes leading to videos and more. It's a treasure box of quick and short information for anyone, who really wants to learn more about the general topics. Much of the information does hit upon things readers might have touched upon during their science classes, will see in high school physics courses, and even gives a little beyond for anyone interested in continuing in the engineering field.
The information offered is fitting to the age group. True science gurus will have already surpassed some of this (if they are on the upper end of the age group), but it's well-placed and even pushes most readers as it takes a very basic look at mechanical advantage calculations, considers how each device functions with graphics and more, leads readers through scientifical thought processes, looks at problem-solution situations, and works through a little history, too. To keep it from becoming too dry (because this isn't exactly a light read), each main chapter begins with a slightly humorous cartoon, and the writing style flows in a natural, down-to-earth way.
This is a nice addition to science classrooms, homeschoolers, or simply those, who want to know more about the world around them, especially when it comes to basic engineering.
While inclined planes, screws, pulleys, wedges, levers, and wheels with axles may seem like overly simplified topics for the age group, this book proves how necessary the understanding of each one is for anyone, who enjoys engineering, creation, or simply making jobs easier to accomplish. Starting with the Egyptian pyramids, each mechanism is fully explained through historical and modern applications, and brought to life. The importance of each one in past and modern times becomes obvious, but this book goes beyond just the basic explanation and history. It also takes quick looks at everything surrounding the physics, mathematics, thought processes and more surrounding each one to give a fairly rounded (for the age group) look into the engineering and meaning behind each one.
While the main part of each page centers around the general information being presented, all sorts of extra explanations and facts are showcased in the sidebars. This includes everything from force/work equations to vocabulary terms to QR codes leading to videos and more. It's a treasure box of quick and short information for anyone, who really wants to learn more about the general topics. Much of the information does hit upon things readers might have touched upon during their science classes, will see in high school physics courses, and even gives a little beyond for anyone interested in continuing in the engineering field.
The information offered is fitting to the age group. True science gurus will have already surpassed some of this (if they are on the upper end of the age group), but it's well-placed and even pushes most readers as it takes a very basic look at mechanical advantage calculations, considers how each device functions with graphics and more, leads readers through scientifical thought processes, looks at problem-solution situations, and works through a little history, too. To keep it from becoming too dry (because this isn't exactly a light read), each main chapter begins with a slightly humorous cartoon, and the writing style flows in a natural, down-to-earth way.
This is a nice addition to science classrooms, homeschoolers, or simply those, who want to know more about the world around them, especially when it comes to basic engineering.
October 24, 2025
This engaging book is an excellent example of how to make STEM concepts accessible to readers. Mooney skillfully explains the math and engineering concepts related to how simple machines (inclined planes, levers, pulleys, screws, wedges, and wheels and axles) have been used to accomplish feats in history and how they also help us today. For example, we use inclined planes every day in the form of wheelchair, highway and skateboard ramps. It’s amazing to think that ancient Romans also used them to build aqueducts, some of which still carry water today.
Mooney includes activities at the end of each chapter which are perfect for hands-on learning, like how to design and build a catapult. She also presents additional discussion questions and QR codes which link to primary sources and other cool resources. A fantastic book for budding engineers!
Mooney includes activities at the end of each chapter which are perfect for hands-on learning, like how to design and build a catapult. She also presents additional discussion questions and QR codes which link to primary sources and other cool resources. A fantastic book for budding engineers!
October 6, 2025
In this comprehensive and fascinating book, readers learn about the six simple machines. The book includes what they are, how they have shaped history, and where we find them in our own, modern day lives (For example, even our bodies make use of levers!). The concepts are thoroughly explained with fun, accessible text, introductory cartoons, and interesting pull-outs. The math involved is clearly explained and illustrated. There are also activities with clear instructions to further illustrate the concepts. For any classrooms looking to engage kids in an overall understanding of engineering concepts, this is a must-have book. I enjoyed the easy-to-understand language and engaging style of the book. I’m sure it will spark the creativity and understanding of many future engineers!
October 11, 2025
What a terrific STEM book guaranteed to fascinate all readers! The writing is clear and engaging, the cartoons are entertaining, and the colorful formatting of the sections enable the reader to easily understand connections. I was fascinated to realize that our bodies use all three classes of levers - our head is a first-class lever. When you stand on the ball of your foot, you are using a second-class lever. And our body has many third class levers, such as our elbow/arms and even our jaw. The author includes terrific activities at the end of each section, such as how to design and build a catapult or a Rube Goldberg machine. This book will inspire readers to learn more about the workings of machines. Great for the classroom or at home!
October 14, 2025
This is an excellent book about simple machines. Its accessible format caters to a wide range of readers. It explains each kind of simple machine with relatable examples. I love how the author talks about how there are many simple machines in the human body itself!
There are DIY activities, questions for further discussion, mathematic formulae for the older/more serious reader, and all of this accompanied by clear diagrams and fun illustrations.
I wish I had this book growing up!
There are DIY activities, questions for further discussion, mathematic formulae for the older/more serious reader, and all of this accompanied by clear diagrams and fun illustrations.
I wish I had this book growing up!
October 16, 2025
This accessible book tackles the history and mechanics of simple machines in an engaging and inviting way. With photographs, comics, definitions, and sidebars, the format of this book offers young readers many ways to approach the material and deepen their understanding. Activities help readers explore the content further and diagrams offer a helpful entry point for visual learners. Great for young people curious about engineering, design, and physics!
October 20, 2025
Wow! What an engaging nonfiction book about simple machines--throughout history and in our daily lives. The mix of photographs, illustrations, comics, and sidebars allows for multiple entry points to the information. And there are fun DIY activities in each section. I highly recommend!
October 20, 2025
A cool book for teens on simple machines like levers and screws. A great nonfiction!
October 21, 2025
This book has something for every reader—beautiful photos, graphic novel strips, and tons of great information, well organized. I learned so much!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews