This Model Eliciting Activity (MEA) is written at a 5th grade level. In this open-ended problem, students are presented with a variety of steps. Based on the data table given for student review, students must decide which simple machines they want to assemble and rank the stores in order starting with the one they would like to order from. Moreover, students are given special characteristics that they need to consider before describing their reasoning and procedures implemented in reaching their answers.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.