MSU Extension 4-H

What you need to know:

Engineering is a process used to solve problems by designing, building and testing things. An engineer is a person who uses math and science to create new things, solve problems or make things better. Pulleys are simple machines that use a rope or string wrapped around a wheel to move an object from one place to another. One end of the rope is attached to an object that needs to move and then the rope goes through a pulley. The other end is attached to a person or motor that works to help the object move. In engineering, pulleys are used to move objects. An elevator uses pulleys to move people and objects to different floors in a building. Pulleys are also used in exercise equipment, window blinds and garage doors. Multiple pulleys can also be used in systems to reduce the force needed to move an object.

What you will do and learn:

In this activity, you will practice building different pulley systems. The goal of this activity is to build your own pulley to lift a small toy.