Rolling Marble Runs
-Elizabeth, Science Teacher in NYC
Unit Description
A toy inventor's marble run keeps getting stuck — the marble never makes it to the end. Students are recruited to find out why. They investigate what makes a marble roll in the first place, then explore how ramp angle, surface friction, and energy transfer during collisions all affect how far and fast a ball travels. Students build a baseline marble run first, then iterate their way toward a final design challenge: a 3D cardboard box run that keeps a ball rolling for five seconds or more.
What Students Learn
How gravity and unbalanced forces cause objects to move
How steepness affects the speed and energy of a rolling object
How friction reduces kinetic energy and slows objects down
How energy transfers between objects during collisions
How scientists and engineers ask questions, gather evidence, and defend their thinking through all 8 Science and Engineering Practices
What's Included
10 slide-based lessons with embedded graphics and media
Step-by-step teacher guide with facilitation notes
Student worksheet packet with assessments
All hands-on building materials for up to 30 students
Maker skill video tutorials
Optional "Marble Masterpieces" extension
Standards Alignment
Grades 4-5 NGSS Performance Expectations
Energy: 4-PS3-3 · 4-PS3-4
Engineering Design: 3-5-ETS1-1 · 3-5-ETS1-2 · 3-5-ETS1-3
Grades 6-8 NGSS Performance Expectations
Forces and Motion: MS-PS2-1 · MS-PS2-2
Engineering Design: MS-ETS1-1 · MS-ETS1-2 · MS-ETS1-3 · MS-ETS1-4