Making a carpark

A screw is a simple machine and is used for a range of purposes.

For example, a screw can act as a ramp (inclined plane) wrapped around a central rod.

One common use for a screw is in the construction of a multistorey carpark.

A screw in the form of a spiral ramp is used to move cars up and down levels of the carpark, when it might be impractical to have a long, straight ramps.

Create a carpark with a spiral ramp with your child.

You will need a central rod, such as a cardboard tube from a plastic wrap or foil wrap package, and several paper plates.

Cut each plate from the edge into the centre.

Then, cut out the centre of each plate so that is the same size as the diameter of the cardboard tube:

Thread the plates onto the cardboard tube and line them up so the straight cuts from the centre to the edge of the plates line up on top of each other.

Tape the left side of the top plate to the top of the cardboard tube and the right side of the top plate to the left side of the plate just below the top.

Continue taping the plates together in this way around the tube making sure you separate the plates as you stick them together.

Test out your carpark with a toy car or a marble.

You might even like to measure the distance a car travels from top to bottom of your carpark, using LEGO blocks or similar.