Simple Candy Machine Mechanicle Energy Project for Kids

Candy is always a fun way to learn STEM. These mechanical energy projects use a simple machines to talk about the transition between potential energy and kinetic energy as well as practice some engineering skills. Learn about mechanical energy for kids with this fun candy science project where you will make a candy machine for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th graders too. Kids of all ages will love this summer stem activity that incorporates an EPIC simple machine project.

Mechanical energy projects

One of my daughters has been begging to learn more science lately. She and all of siblings spent most of an hour watching M and M’s go down the slide and turn the fly wheel. While they played we talked about the physics involved. This is such a fun mechanical energy projects for children of all ages! And this mechanical energy project uses candy which makes it extra fun and engaging for preschoolers, kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, and grade 5 students.

Keep scrolling to learn more and see the rest of our simple machines for kids study!

Mechanical Energy for Kids

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. As the candy slides down the shoot, it gains more and more speed. The more speed it gains the more kinetic energy  it has.

Where does the energy come from? I asked. My older child knew immediately that this gain in energy was due to gravity. Force fields have been a special interest lately, and gravity is a field force. Any time an object is pulled in by a field force it tends to gain kinetic energy. At the top of the slide the M and M has potential energy. As gravity pulls the candy down the inclined plane, the potential energy is mostly converted to kinetic energy. (A tiny bit of the mechanical energy will be converted to heat by friction.)

Where does the mechanical energy go?  This was easy. At the bottom of the slide, or inclined plane the M and M transfer’s it’s mechanical energy to the flywheel, a type of lever. Both inclined plans and levers are a type of simple machine.

Simple machines  are devices that change the direction or the magnitude (size) of a force. How did these machines change the force?  The inclined planes changed the direction from straight toward the center of the earth to a path that was more parallel. The fly wheel lever actually changed the direction from straight down to a circle- angular motion!

Make a Candy Machine

• Mini M and M’s (or other similarly sized candy)
• Milk shake straws
• Tooth pics
• Tape
• Scissors
• Play dough to stabilize the bottom

Simple machine project

Examples of simple machines at home

Simple machine project ideas

If your child enjoys these types of toys, you may want to check out Paul Hewitt’s Conceptual Physics. It’s meant to be used as a text book, but is written so well that we tend it to pick it up for pleasure reading. Hewitt uses humor and every day examples to make physics accessible to anyone.

Easy Simple Machines Project

Don’t be fooled. Physics is not a difficult science because there is so much to learn. There is very little to know. The important thing is that your children learn the skills of applying a few simple concepts in a variety of situations. As they do, they’ll begin to see the amazing complexity of the world all around them, just like my kids did with this candy machine.

   

Simple Machines for Kids

• Inclined Planes for kids – explanation, activities, and resources
• Wheel and Axle for kids lesson with projects and other fun ideas
• Gears for Kids filled with lots of hands on activities
• Wedges and Screw Simple Machine  Lesson for children
• Levers and Pulleys lesson for students
• I Spy simple machines for kids
• MATCH – Simple Machines Game
• 30 Simple Machines for Kids Projects
• Free Simple Machines Worksheet to fold into a clever booklet
• Candy Simple Machines Project
• Pulley Experiment from recycled materials