Peeling an apple by hand can be an arduous task and often results in loss of apple flesh. However, by using an innovation like an apple peeler, created from an incline plane and a wedge, an apple can be peeled easily with minimal effort and most of the apple flesh retained. Demonstrate how efficient an apple peeler is compared to peeling an apple by hand by presenting both options to your students, an experiment proposed by Math/Science Nucleus. Allow each student to try her hand at peeling an apple by hand and with the peeler. The apple simply sits against an incline plane, or screw, while a wedge rotates around the apple to remove the skin.
Canning with tin cans allows food to stay edible for longer periods of time without spoiling. To open these cans, we use an innovative and practical can-opening device. The main two types are the simple lever and the wedge can opener, which is turned using a handle. Students can explore which type opens a tin can the easiest by taking turns using them. The lever can opener is used by pressing a hook against the rim of the can, then tearing and pulling it around the perimeter of the lid. The wedge can opener works by pressing a wedged piece against the top of the can and rotating a wedge around it to cut it.
Before the invention of scissors, materials had to be cut with a knife or other sharp object. Scissors, which are two wedges connected to form levers, cut through materials easily and quickly and make clean, sharp cuts. Demonstrate how efficient scissors are by letting your students cut a piece of cloth with a knife and then with scissors. The wedges press together, catching the cloth and cutting it cleanly.