Activity 1: Roll out of the Maze!
In this activity, children will get to explore with the maze box and observe what happens to the bead when the box gets tilted. They will also tilt the box to move the bead through the maze to complete it. Children are recommended to start with the easy level before moving on to the medium and hard level progressively.
Objective(s):
Children will be able to…
- Observe what happens to the bead when the box gets tilted (and becomes an inclined plane)
- Tilt the box with both hands to move the bead from one end of the maze to the other end as identified by the sticker dots
Suggested procedures (or alternatives as deemed fit by the class teachers):
- Group children into pairs or small groups.
- Distribute a maze box to each pair or small group.
- Have children observe what happens to the bead inside when they tilt the box.
- Next, have children move the bead from one end of the maze to the other.
- Repeat Steps 3 – 5 until everyone in the pair or the group has tried the activity.
Possible questions to ask during the activity:
– What happened to the bead when you tilt the box forward/backward/to the left/to the right?
– What happened to the bead when you tilt the box a lot / a little?
– Why do you think the bead was moving when the box was tilted?
Watch the video below!
Activity 2: Discover the application and benefit of using an inclined plane
In this hands-on experiential activity, children will discover the application and benefits of using an inclined plane through an experiment to compare the effort needed to lift an object vertically and via a ramp.
Objective(s):
Children will be able to…
- Carry out simple investigations to find out how an inclined plane works with materials provided
- Compare the marble counters to find out which method of lifting the car up was easier
Suggested procedures (or alternatives as deemed fit by the class teachers):
- Invite 2 children up to try the activity simultaneously.
- One child will stand by the ramp while the other will stand by the tall block.
- Have each child put a marble at a time into the bag that is on their side and return to their seat, before the next pair of children comes up to do the same.
- Repeat Step 3 until the car has travelled all the way up to the finishing line.
- Have children count the marbles in each bag.
- Compare the number of marbles in each bag and ask children which method of lifting the car was easier.
Possible questions to ask during the activity:
– How does the ramp work to lift the car up?
– Which method of lifting the car required less marbles? Which method was easier?
– What do you think will happen if we move the car down the tall block / the ramp?
Watch the video below!
Craft: Pom Pom Run
Children will apply the concept of inclined plane learnt to put together and construct the Pom Pom Run craft to bring home. In addition to seeing inclined plane in action as they play with the craft, children will also be able to unleash their creativity to design and customise their own Pom Pom Run craft.
Differentiation will be provided to better cater for the nursery and kindergarten children (e.g., 1 long ramp for nursery children, 1 long and 1 short ramp for kindergarten children).
Furthermore, to increase awareness and encourage students to adopt eco-friendly habits, all materials for the craft and activities are adapted from recyclable materials.
Objective(s):
Children will be able to…
- Build their own inclined plane model using craft materials provided
- Decorate their craft with decorative materials provided (e.g., dot stickers and markers)
Suggested procedures (or alternatives as deemed fit by the class teachers):
- Fold the paper plate inwards along the marked line. Place a ruler along the marked line and fold the paper plate against the ruler to achieve best results.
- Decorate the paper plate as desired.
- Write name at the back of the paper plate. Then, remove double-sided tape and paste the cardboard on its ends at the back of the paper plate to make a stand. Ensure that the paper plate is standing perpendicular before pressing down to secure stand.
- Paste the cupcake holder at the bottom of the paper plate, where the double-sided tape is pasted on.
- Mould the ramps so that it is curved, then adjust the ramps against the paper plate where the double-sided tapes are pasted on and check that the pom pom ball will be able to roll and drop into the cupcake holder.
- After checking in Step 5, remove double-sided tape and paste the ramp onto the paper plate.
- Start playing by letting the pom pom ball down the ramp and watch it roll into the cupcake holder.
Watch the video below!
Enjoyed the workshop?
Check out our Junior STEM Explorers workshop where children will be exposed to topics related to STEM through experiential experiments, activities and crafts.
Find out more here!