7th Grade Robotics Laboratory

Simple machines have been the building blocks of more complex machines throughout the years. The gear is one of the most fundamental of the simple machines. Gears can help transfer power, increase or decrease speed and/or power, and change the direction of movement by simply working together.

Your students can experience gears through this activity as they build FOUR different gear sets .

1. Understanding how connected gears affect direction.

2. Compound Gear Train - gear input and output on the same side of a wall

3. Reverted Gear Train - input and output gears on same plane, but not directly connected

4. Large Gear Train - demonstrates Mechanical Advantage and directions of gears

Student Friendly! Easy to follow build directions!

ZIP File includes Student Handout and Teacher Answer Key