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How to Use Milton Bradley Mouse Trap to Teach Simple Machines

Mouse Trap is one game in the wide line of Milton Bradley-produced board games, and is among the games that can be used for both fun and teaching. With Mouse Trap, you can teach children the technology behind a number of the simple machines used in the game. These machines can be used for fun to complete the object of the game: to catch the mouse.

Instructions

- 1
  Begin the game by turning the crank, and show how this moves the vertical gear next to it.
- 2
  Point out how the prongs on the vertical gear then get the horizontal gear next to it moving.
- 3
  Teach about the vertical gear providing a push for the elastic-loaded lever next to it, and how this snaps and hits the swinging boot to create momentum.
- 4
  Show how the momentum sends the marble down the incline, and how the ball eventually ends up on a see-saw, using its weight to advance forward.
- 5
  Notice how the diver is launched next, and creates force to move the cage free and allow it to trap the mouse.

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