Slow Can Race STEM Forces in Motion Activity/ Experiment: Creating Friction

This interactive STEM activity is always a highlight of my forces and motion unit! This activity is perfect to reinforce the concepts of forces and friction. Students need to cover or wrap a regular can in different materials to se how they affect the speed a can can travel down a ramp. Students experiment to see how friction affects motion. Set the stage by building up the idea that this is a race- THEN explain that the SLOWEST can is the winner! Students often wrap all kinds of materials around their can- It is fascinating to watch what they come up with. I also love hearing stories of my middle schoolers going to the supermarket and scanning the can aisle for what they think would work best!

Included in this project are:

• Informational Reading on the friction with review questions.
• STEM design sheet to draw and explain their first idea, final design and other changes made.
• Teacher Directions and material suggestions
• Rubric

A great way to encourage SUPER SCIENCING!

Now part of an awesome bundle of force lessons for only $4.50

Newtons Force and Motion Laws: Notes, Inquiry Experiments and Review Project

More Great Force Stuff!

*Simple Machines Examples Cut and Paste

*Simple Machines Mini Book

* Force and Motion Stations-inquiry activities for Newton's 1st law/ Inertia

* Newtons Laws of Motion interactive NOTES with demonstrations and activities

* Newton's Third Law Station Science Inquiry Activities (12 stations)

* Newtons Laws of Motion Review Project Poster

* Newtons Laws of Motion Review Sheet

* The Wild Ride- experience and understand inertia as you travel in a car

* Friction & Force Review project-Design a ramp system to slow down a marble

TEACH the STEM process with this interactive flip-book!

Engineering Design Process STEM Steps FLIP BOOK- Differentiated: 4 versions