Hidden Message

Scavenger Hunt
 Table of Contents
3. Directions for Use
4. Hidden Message Student Worksheet
5. Hidden Message Student Worksheet (half page)
6. Hidden Message Answer Key
7. Scavenger Hunt Student Worksheet
(smaller font, 1 page)
8-9. Scavenger Hunt Student Worksheets
(larger font, 2 pages)
10. Scavenger Hunt Answer Key
11-14. Fact Cards
 Directions
Prep: 1. Print a master (color is best) copy of the
student pages and fact cards. If card stock
is available for fact cards, this is
recommended.
2. Cut and laminate the fact cards for
durability.
3. Make student copies of the hidden
message page and scavenger hunt
worksheet.
4. Place the fact cards in various locations for
students to find. Difficulty level will not
affect the activity.

Student directions: Search for the fact cards to fill in

the blanks on your Scavenger Hunt page. While filling in
the blanks on the Scavenger Hunt, record the hidden
message letter (found on each fact card) onto the
“Think About It” page. Be sure to match the correct
Fact Cards and letters. The hidden message awaits!
Good luck!

*Teacher tip: This activity can be used in many

different ways, but it is recommended as an
introductory activity to spark student interest.
The fact cards in the scavenger hunt have the missing letters that belong below
in the hidden words. Fill in the missing letters above the number that matches
each fact card to discover the completed message!

Think About It…

Which compound machine can be helpful
in the classroom and is often made up
of a lever, wedges, and a
wheel and axle?

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

4 7 13 9 16 2

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
10 3 15 8 11 5 14 12 1 6

Thought to consider:
What are some
other classroom
tools that are made
up of simple
machines?
 Think About It… Think About It…

Which compound machine Which compound machine

can be helpful in the can be helpful in the
classroom and is often classroom and is often
made up of a lever, wedges, made up of a lever, wedges,
and a wheel and axle? and a wheel and axle?

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
4 7 13 9 16 2 4 7 13 9 16 2

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
10 3 15 8 11 5 14 12 1 6 10 3 15 8 11 5 14 12 1 6

Thought to consider: Thought to consider:

What are some other What are some other
classroom tools that are classroom tools that are
made up of simple made up of simple
machines? machines?
 ANSWER KEY

Think About It…

Which compound machine can be helpful
in the classroom and is often made up
of a lever, wedges, and a wheel and
axle?

PENCIL SHARPENERS

Thought to consider:
The most common
response is typically
scissors, which are
made up of two wedges
and two levers.
 Simple Machines Scavenger Hunt
Directions: Find the Fact Cards (in any order) and fill in the missing words. Be sure to fill in
the hidden letters on the “Think About It” page.

1. A ________________ ____________________ is a device with few or no moving parts

that makes work easier.
2. A ________________ ____________________ is made up of two or more simple
machines that work together.
3. An ________________ _______________ is a slope or ramp that makes it easier to
move a load up or down.
4. The __________ is the object that is being lifted.
5. Some examples of inclined planes can include ________________, wheel chair
ramps, and even _______________________.
6. A __________________ is made up of two inclined planes that can be used to push
objects apart or hold them together.
7. Some examples of wedges that separate can include knives, axes, and
_____________________. Examples of wedges that can hold things together can
include push pins, ________________, and doorstops.
8. A __________ is a ____________ inclined plane that is used to hold objects together.
9. Some examples of screws can include jar lids, drills, ______________ ____________,
and bottle caps.
10. A __________ is a bar rested on a support, called a fulcrum, that ____________ or
moves loads.
11. A ________________ is the ______________ that a lever rests and pivots (moves) on.
12. Some examples of levers can include door handles, __________________, the back
of a hammer, and _________________ _____________________.
13. A ____________ with a rod called an ____________ through the center can help to
move a load.
14. Some examples of objects with wheels and axles can include ___________________,
cars, and ceiling ____________.
15. A _______________ is a _____________ wrapped around a ______________ that is
used to move objects up and down or back and forth.
16. Some examples of pulleys can include _____________ _______________, blinds or
curtains, and ________________ on sailboats.
 Simple Machines Scavenger Hunt - Page 1
Directions: Find the Fact Cards (in any order) and fill in the missing words. Be sure to fill in
the hidden letters on the “Think About It” page.

1. A ________________ ____________________ is a device with few

or no moving parts that makes work easier.
2. A ________________ ____________________ is made up of two or
more simple machines that work together.
3. An ________________ _______________ is a slope or ramp that
makes it easier to move a load up or down.
4. The __________ is the object that is being lifted.
5. Some examples of inclined planes can include ________________,
wheel chair ramps, and even _______________________.
6. A __________________ is made up of two inclined planes that
can be used to push objects apart or hold them together.
7. Some examples of wedges that separate can include knives,
axes, and _____________________. Examples of wedges that can
hold things together can include push pins, ________________,
and doorstops.
8. A __________ is a _____________ inclined plane that is used to
hold objects together.
truck ramp =
inclined plane
 Simple Machines Scavenger Hunt – Page 2

9. Some examples of screws can include jar lids, drills,

______________ ____________, and bottle caps.
10. A __________ is a bar rested on a support, called a fulcrum,
that ____________ or moves loads.
11. A ________________ is the ______________ that a lever rests and
pivots (moves) on.
12. Some examples of levers can include door handles,
__________________, the back of a hammer, and
_________________ _____________________.
13. A ____________ with a rod called an ____________ through the
center can help to move a load.
14. Some examples of objects with wheels and axles can include
___________________, cars, and ceiling ____________.
15. A _______________ is a _____________ wrapped around a
______________ that is used to move objects up and down or
back and forth.
16. Some examples of pulleys can include _____________
_______________, blinds or curtains, and ________________ on
sailboats.
 Simple Machines - ANSWER KEY
1. A simple machine is a device with few or no moving parts that makes work
easier.
2. A compound machine is made up of two or more simple machines that work
together.
3. An inclined plane is a slope or ramp that makes it easier to move a load up or
down.
4. The load is the object that is being lifted.
5. Some examples of inclined planes can include slides, wheel chair ramps, and
even ladders.
6. A wedge is made up of two inclined planes that can be used to push objects
apart or hold them together.
7. Some examples of wedges that separate can include knives, axes, and
scissors. Examples of wedges that can hold things together can include push
pins, nails, and doorstops.
8. A screw is a spiral inclined plane that is used to hold objects together.
9. Some examples of screws can include jar lids, drills, light bulbs, and bottle
caps.
10. A lever is a bar rested on a support, called a fulcrum, that lifts or moves
loads.
11. A fulcrum is the support that a lever rests and pivots (moves) on.
12. Some examples of levers can include door handles, crowbars, the back of a
hammer, and bottle openers.
13. A wheel with a rod called an axle through the center can help to move a load.
14. Some examples of objects with wheels and axles can include bicycles, cars,
and ceiling fans.
15. A pulley is a rope wrapped around a wheel that is used to move objects up
and down or back and forth.
16. Some examples of pulleys can include flag poles, blinds or curtains, and sails
on sailboats.
 1 2
A simple A compound machine is
machine is made up of two or
a device more simple machines
with few or that work together.
no moving
parts that
makes
work
easier. pencil
sharpener

Hidden message letter: R Hidden message letter: L

3 4
An inclined plane is a The load is the object
slope or ramp that that is being lifted.
makes it easier to
move a load up or
down.
boxes = load

Hidden message letter: H Hidden message letter: P

 5 6
Some examples of A wedge is made up of
inclined planes can two inclined planes that
include slides, wheel can be used to push
chair ramps, and even objects apart or hold
ladders. them together.

Hidden message letter: E Hidden message letter: S

7
Some examples of
wedges that separate 8
can include knives, axes, A screw is
and scissors. Examples of
wedges that can hold a spiral
things together can inclined
include push pins, nails, plane that is
and doorstops. used to hold
objects
together.

Hidden message letter: E Hidden message letter: R

 9 10
Some examples of A lever is a bar
screws can include jar rested on a support,
lids, drills, light bulbs, called a fulcrum,
and bottle caps. that lifts or moves
loads.

Hidden message letter: C Hidden message letter: S

11 12
A fulcrum is the support Some examples of
that a lever rests and levers can include door
pivots (moves) on. handles, crowbars, the
back of a hammer,
and bottle openers.

fulcrum

Hidden message letter: P Hidden message letter: E

 13 14
A wheel with a rod Some examples of
called an axle through objects with wheels and
the center can help to axles can include
move a load. bicycles, cars, and
ceiling fans.

Hidden message letter: N Hidden message letter: N

15 16
A pulley is a rope Some examples of
wrapped around a wheel pulleys can include flag
that is used to move poles, blinds or curtains,
objects up and down or and sails on sailboats.
back and forth.

Hidden message letter: A Hidden message letter: I

If you like this scavenger hunt,
I have many more!

Science Scavenger Hunts

Planets
Scientific Method
Water Cycle
Animal Groups
Moon Phases
Light
Human Body

Social Studies Scavenger Hunts

Abraham Lincoln
George Washington
Colonial America
Columbus

Holidays
Halloween Science
Thanksgiving
Winter Holidays {Christmas,
Hanukkah, Kwanzaa}
Chinese New Year
Valentine's Day
St. Patrick's Day
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