STEM-Maker

Curriculum

Turn Any Space Into a STEM Lab

Screw
Simple Machines

A STEM-Maker Level 1 Lesson for System Fluency

Educational Objectives

After this lesson, students should be able to understand and

apply the following concepts:
Basic elements of a screw
Relationship between pitch, slope,
and threads per inch
Calculate mechanical advantage
Construct a model screw
Conduct an authentic assessment of mathematical
predictions and calculations
Intrinsic value of the screw and the ability to transfer
that knowledge to future applications and solutions

Education Standards
Next Generation Science Standards

Common Core Standards

Standards for Technological Literacy

3-5-ETS1-1
3-5-ETS1-2
3-5-ETS1-3

W.5.7
W.5.9
MP.2
MP.4

2.K-2 2.3-5 2.6-8 2.9-12

8.K-2
8.3-5
8.6-8
8.9-12
9.K-2 9.3-5 9.6-8 9.9-12
10.K-2 10.3-5 10.6-8 10.9-12

MS-ETS1-1
MS-ETS1-2
MS-ETS1-3
MS-ETS1-4

HS-ETS1-1
HS-ETS1-2
HS-ETS1-3
HS-ETS1-4

RST.6-8.1
RST.6-8.7
RST.11-12.8
MP.5

WHST.6-8.9
RST.11-12.7
RST.11-12.9
SL.8.5

Welcome
From basic STEM literacies to 3D solid modeling, Rokenbok STEM-MAKER curriculum was created
to help you teach technology, engineering, and design in almost any setting. Rokenboks STEMMaker Curriculum guides fun and engaging hands-on project based challenges, and models the
progression of fluencies mastered by real designers and engineers. Lesson plans are categorized
in three progressive levels for grades 3-12 and align with NGSS and common core state standards.
Progression through these levels builds confidence, a sense of accomplishment setting the
groundwork for a love of learning, creating and making.

System Fluency

Step-by-step, single-solution
projects introduce Rokenbok
materials and how the
system works.

Creative Fluency

Realistic design briefs

challenge the student to
solve a problem based on the
skills learned in Level 1. Students
add their own design creativity
to solve a problem using the
Rokenbok system.

Engineering Fluency

A more advanced design brief

challenges students to design
and build custom parts to
complete a project. Students
use the 3D Virtual Parts
Library and 3D solid modeling
software to adapt and create
their own parts
and tools.

Table of Contents

Level 1 Simple Machines: The Screw

Introduction

Introduction ............................................................................................................................
Key Terms ..............................................................................................................................
Additional Resources ..............................................................................................................
Building Basics with Rokenbok .................................................................................................

1
1
1
2

Technology and Engineering

Bill of Materials .......................................................................................................................

3
Building a Screw ..................................................................................................................... 3-4

Science Concepts

What is a Screw? .....................................................................................................................

Screw Examples ......................................................................................................................

Math Concepts

Calculating Attributes of the Screw ...........................................................................................

STEM Challenges

Building a Propeller ..................................................................................................................

Assessment

What Have We Learned? .........................................................................................................

5
5
6
7
8

Introduction
Introduction

This Level 1 project is designed to introduce your students to one of the six simple machines,
the screw. Students will learn how the screw works by making their own screw assembly,
applying the mathematics behind the screw, as well as learning key terms related to the
subject matter.

Key Terms

Screw:

Threads, or inclined plane wrapped around a center shaft.

Simple Machine: A device that transmits or modifies force or motion.

Effort:

Force used to move an object over a distance.

Threads:

The sloped incline plane on a screw.

Slope:
The distance for one complete rotation around the center shaft of the
screw.
Pitch/Lead:

Height of the inclined plane or distance between threads.

Online Key Search Terms

simple machines
mechanical advantage
screw
bolts/nuts screw jack threads
coarse/fine threads
mechanical fasteners
wine press

Building Basics with Rokenbok

You will be using the Rokenbok Education ROK Ed Rover or SnapStack Module for this
project.

Snapping:

Rokenbok building components snap

together for a snug fit. It is easier to snap
pieces together by angling the beam into
the block.
Snapping

Bracing:

Use braces to strengthen any

Rokenbok build. Girders, 2-way
braces, 3-way braces, and corbels are all
commonly used for this purpose.
Bracing

Disassemble:

Always use the Rokenbok key tool when

taking apart pieces. Insert the tab on the
key into the engineered slot on each piece
and twist slightly. This will protect your
fingers and minimize broken pieces.

Disassemble

Take Inventory:

It is recommended to take inventory of all components at the end of each build and
a complete check at the end of the school year. Replacement pieces can be found
online at rokenbok.com/education.

Component Care:

All building components should be cleaned regularly with a mild detergent

and water.

Technology & Engineering

Building a Screw Assembly

Follow the step-by-step instructions to build a screw assembly.

Bill of Materials

Makes one screw assembly.

9x

6x
3x

Build the Shaft Assembly

Build the Thread of the

Assembly

4x
1x

Technology & Engineering

Building a Screw Assembly

Follow the step-by-step instructions to build a screw assembly.

Build the Thread of the Assembly

Final Screw Assembly

Science Concepts
What is a Screw?

The screw is a simple machine that can be used to

turn rotary motion (round and round) into linear motion
(up and down). It is also used to interlock materials by
twisting the threads of the screw into the material.
The power of the screw is determined by how close
the threads are together. The closer the threads are
together, the easier it is to twist into the material, but
will take more twists to complete the job. Threads that
are farther apart are harder to twist, but do not require
as many twists.

Rotary

Linear

As the screw is turned into materials such as wood, the

angle of the threads pulls the screw into the wood and
the friction between the threads and the material make
it difficult to back out of the wood. This makes an
excellent mechanical fastener to connect materials.

Linear
Into
Material

Threads

Screw Examples

Here are a few of the examples of how the screw is

used in common applications:
Bolts

Bench Vise

Screws

Nuts

Cork Screw

Drill Bits

Math Concepts
Calculating Attributes of the Screw

The benefit of the screw is based on a scientific concept called, mechanical advantage. By using a
simple machine, we can make hard work easier, making it possible to build things that we dont have
the power to do with just our hands and muscles. While the screw is a simple concept, the inclined
threads have tremendous power to lift heavy objects and fasten things together.
Use the formulas below to determine the mechanical advantage of a screw.
Formula: Pitch
The pitch of the screw is the distance between the threads
and is determined by measuring the number of threads per
inch.
Formula: Circumference
The distance around the outside edge of the screw is called
circumference. To determine the circumference of
a screw we use the following math formula: c = pd

Pitch =

1
number of threads
per inch/cm

Formula: Mechanical Advantage

We can use mathematical formulas and measurements to
help determine the mechanical advantage of a machine,
including the screw. To determine the mechanical
advantage of this screw, divide the circumference of the
screw by the pitch of the screw.
Use the formula and given measurements shown to find the
mechanical advantage of this screw.

1
8

8 Threads
per inch

The term pi p is a mathematical constant that represents

the ratio of a circles circumference to its diameter which is
approximately 3.14.
To figure the circumference of our screw, we use the
following formula: c = 3.14 (p) x .25 (diameter) which
means that the circumference of our screw is 0.785 inches.

1
4
Diameter
Circumference
c = pd
c(0.785) = 3.14 X .25

Slope

Circumference (0.785)/Pitch = 1/8 (.125) = MA (6.28)

STEM Challenge
What Can You Design?

These STEM Design and Engineering Challenges are designed to introduce you to the screw and
how it can be used to make work easier for many different tasks. Try out the STEM Design and
Engineering Challenge below or design your own project using the screw.

Building a Propeller

This STEM Challenge is designed to use the

screw assembly that you have built and turn it into
a useful tool.
One application of the screw is included in the
design of a propeller. Some propellers are used to
move boats through the water and others are used
to propel airplanes through the air.
Use additional Rokenbok building components to
build a propeller that will rotate.
Now that you know how a propeller is made,
you can apply this concept to build a model of a
helicopter or whirligig.

Other Uses for the Screw

The screw is a very useful simple machine. Not only can the mechanical advantage of a screw
be useful in moving heavy loads and fastening materials, it can also be used in many other ways.
Some of these include:

Transfer of motion from rotary motion to vertical linear motion

Wine press, augers and mechanical feed systems

Combines, post hole diggers, and turbines

Combine

Assessment
What Have We Learned?
1.

The screw uses ______________ motion to transfer to linear motion.

a. rotary
b.
intermittent
c. fluid
d. gravity

2.

The screw is really a(n) __________________ wrapped around a center shaft.

a.
wheel and axle
b. pulley
c.
inclined plane
d. lever

3.

Use the information below to determine the mechanical advantage of the screw.
a.
MA = 6.28
b.
MA = 3.14
c.
MA = 1.57
d.
MA = 4.71

4 Threads
per inch

Mechanical Advantage of a Screw

Circumference/Pitch = MA
MA = ________
4.

Which of the following examples is not a screw?

a.
combine header
b. bolt
c. nail
d. propeller

5.

The slope of a screw is determined by the __________________

a.
distance between threads
b.
distance for one complete rotation around the screw
c.
number of threads on the screw
d.
number of threads per inch

1
8
Diameter

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