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TRB 3:4 - Investigation 3 - Draggin' Me Down

Group Size

Small Groups

Authors

Utah LessonPlans

Summary

Students will discover that gravity effects objects that they roll up a ramp.


Materials

Pre-Assessment / Invitation to Learn

  • Windows on Science laser disc program about inclined planes and the movement of objects down different ramps demonstrating the motion of objects.
  • A picture of a roller coaster.
Instructional Procedures
  • Scissors
  • Shoe box with lid
  • Toy car, marble, or small ball
  • Measuring tape or yard stick

Additional Resources

Book:

  • How Do You Lift a Lion? by Robert E. Wells (Albert Whitman and Company)
  • The Way Things Work by David Macauley (Dorling Kindersley)
  • Simple Machines by Deborah Hodge (Ontario Science Center)
  • Machines - Spectacular Science Projects by Janice Van Cleave (John Wiley and Sons, Inc.)
  • Physics Lab in the Hardware Store by Bob Friedhoffer (Franklin Watts)
  • Playground Physics - Simple Machines by Bob DeWeese (Evan-Moor)
  • Science Experiments With Simple Machines by Sally Nanivell-Aston (Franklin Watts)

Videos:

  • Science Alliance #3, Machines

Laser Discs:

  • Windows on Science, Primary Vol. 3, Work and Machines Lessons 2-10


Background for Teachers

Gravity is a force that constantly exists between two objects. The one with greater mass appears to pull the other. Earth's pull is strong and will affect an object rolling up or down a hill. Racing a car down a ramp from different levels will allow students to observe how gravity controls the speed of objects. The farther an object falls, the faster gravity will make it go. It will also travel a short distance until air resistance works to slow it down. If students try rolling the ball or car up the ramp, they will observe that gravity slows the object and then pulls it back to the earth.


Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Use science process and thinking skills
2. Manifest scientific attitudes and interests
3. Understand science concepts and principles
4. Communicate effectively using science language and reasoning


Instructional Procedures

Pre-Assessment/Invitation to Learn

  1. Show a Windows on Science program about inclined planes and the movement of objects down different ramps demonstrating the motion of objects.
  2. Show a picture of a roller coaster. Discuss the excitement of riding on a roller coaster at the amusement park. As it travels downward, everyone screams with excitement at the speed and movement on the small track. Climbing up the steep hills slows the cars down and helps build the excitement for the next plunge. It leaves your heart pounding and excitement drumming in your ears as your stomach seems to fly out your screaming mouth. Thanks to gravity, a roller coaster is loads of fun!

Teacher tells students: "During science today, you will become researchers for an incredible new roller coaster being designed called the Beamer Screamer. Your group needs to research gravity and be able to explain to the construction crew how gravity helps the ride be exciting or boring."

Instructional Procedure

  1. Divide children into small groups.
  2. Have each group cut away most of one end and one side of the shoe box.
  3. Cut two slots in the end that is left.
  4. Cut the edges off the lid to make a ramp that will slide into the slits you made in the box.
  5. Place the ramp into the lowest slot of the box. Place the car, marble, or small ball at the top of the ramp and release it.
  6. Record your results. Time your car counting how long it takes to reach the finish line, and then measure its total length traveled.
  7. Change the incline of the ramp in the box and repeat the activity.
  8. Record the results again.
  9. Move the ramp to the highest slot and continue experimentation, recording results.
  10. Repeat the activity, this time rolling the ball up the ramp from different levels.
  11. Discuss results as a class and generate principles about gravity.


Extensions

Science-

  • Change the type of car used on the ramp to see if speed or distance changes. (ILO 1)
  • Locate a "Marble Game" toy from Discover Toys to put in a center and have students create their own marble maze. Observe how gravity affects the speed of the marbles. (ILO 1)


Assessment Plan

Response questions:

  1. What happens to the car when you release it on the lowest ramp?
  2. What happens to the car when released on the highest ramp?
  3. Describe the observations made using the vocabulary words gravity, speed, motion, distance, and force.


Created: 07/21/2004
Updated: 05/18/2022
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