Screw
A screw is essentially a specialized form of an inclined plane, coiled around a central pole. This simple machine, often employed unconsciously in everyday activities, serves various functions, including lifting objects and fastening them together. Its distinct design enables bidirectional movement, depending on the turning direction.

Examples of screw simple machines are ubiquitous in daily life, ranging from swivel chairs and jar lids to common screws. Beyond their role in mundane items, screws play a vital part in tools like screwdrivers and drills, significantly enhancing efficiency and simplifying various tasks.

How do Screws help us?
A screw is like a twisted ramp around a stick. When you turn the screw, it can make things go up the twisted ramp. Screws are handy for holding things together.

Examples of screws are jar lids, bolts, drill bits, light bulbs, water faucets, and the ends of hoses.

Just like other simple tools, screws make it easier to do work by making us use less force. It's easier to push a screw into a wall than a nail because the edges of the screw move in a circle and cover a longer distance than a nail. This is one way simple tools make our work easier.

Screws are also useful because the twisted ramp edges keep the screw in place and help hold things together.
 Picture
Parts of a Screw
A screw is simply an inclined plane around a cylinder. To describe this better, you can view it as a cylinder with a head (solid top) at one end and a pointed tip (like a nail) at the other end. More importantly, it has ridges winding around it. The correct term for the ridges (or grooves) around the shaft or cylinder is the thread.

The distance between threads is the same for each screw but is different on other screws. The distance between threads is called a Pitch.
Examples of Screws
1. Screwdriver and screw:  turning the screwdriver drives the screw into or out of a surface.
2. Jar lids: twisting the lid on or off utilizes a screw-like mechanism.
3. Lightbulbs: twisting them into a socket works like a screw.
4. Clamps:  tightening or loosening a clamp involves a screw mechanism.
5. Corkscrew:  it uses a screw to insert into a cork for opening bottles.
6. Hooks and bolts: turning them involves a twisting motion like a screw.
7. Vise grips: turning the handle tightens or loosens the grip using a screw mechanism.
Nails vs. Screws
Using some scrap wood, experiment by using screw drivers to drive in screws of different types into the wood. 

Which takes more turns to screw it in?
Which screw do you think will hold better? Why?
Which screw has the most distance wrapped around it?
Which requires more work?

Then screw a screw through a two stacked up cardboard boxes. Then we put a nail through the plates. ASK the kids what they thought would hold better? They found that a screw held better.
Try This!
  • Experiment: "Twisting and Turning with Screws"

Materials:
Corks (one per child)
Small plastic or wooden beads
Small screw or wood screw
Screwdriver (appropriate for children's use)
Optional: Paper, markers, and stickers for decorating the corks

Procedure:
Introduction (5 minutes):
Start by introducing the concept of screws to the children. Explain that screws are simple machines that have spiral threads and are used for holding things together or lifting objects.

Setup (5 minutes):
Give each child a cork and a small plastic or wooden bead.
Show them the small screw and the screwdriver.

Experiment (15 minutes):
Demonstrate how to use the screwdriver to twist the screw into the cork, leaving enough space for the bead to be threaded onto the screw.
Instruct the children to use the screwdriver to twist the screw into the cork.
After screwing it in, show them how to thread the bead onto the screw.​
Questions/Discussion
  • How did the screw go into the cork?
  • What happens when you turn the screw with the screwdriver?
  • Why do you think the screw stays in the cork even after you stop turning it?
  • How is a screw different from other objects we've explored?
Family Connection
  • Encourage families to explore screws around the house, pointing out examples in furniture, appliances, or everyday objects. Remember lids are also a type of screw (milk cap, toothpaste lid, etc.). Notice how some lids stayed on better and were less likely to spill – the ones that were screwed on tightly.
  • Have parents help their children create a simple screw-based project, such as attaching small wooden pieces together using screws.
  • Prompt children to observe how screws are used at home and discuss their findings with their family.
  • Ask families to find examples of screws in the neighborhood or during outings, such as in construction sites or playground equipment.
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