Role Cards

Play with gravity and the forces at work on a roller coaster. Build the tracks and structure of a coaster using Strawbees straws and connectors. Then, test the design with a ball to build potential energy and release kinetic energy. Explore how different iterations of the structure affect the success of the ball reaching the end.

Teacher Notes

Overview and Objectives

Preparation

Engineering Design Process

Assign Group Roles

Identify

Imagine

Plan

Overview

Marble Run

Part 1/2

Bases

Part 2/2

Track

Create

Improve

Extension

Time for Cleanup!

References

STEAM Classroom

United States

The student takes an active role in learning by using a design process to solve authentic problems for a local or global audience, using a variety of technologies.

TEKS Technology Applications

5.3B

The student takes an active role in learning by using a design process and creative thinking to develop and evaluate solutions, considering a variety of local and global perspectives.

6.3A

The student knows the nature of forces and the patterns of their interactions.

TEKS Science

5.7B

The student knows the nature of forces and their role in systems that experience stability or change.

6.7A

The student knows that the total energy in systems is conserved through energy transfers and transformations.

Marble Run Part 1: Foundation

Overview and Objectives

In this lesson, students will: