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In this physical sciences activity, learners explore friction. Learners investigate the factors that affect the force required to move an object. Learners prepare weighted shoeboxes and then collect and compare data at multiple testing stations.
- Under 5 minutes
- 45 to 60 minutes
- $5 - $10 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 14
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English, Spanish
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- 2 feet minimum of surfaces for testing stations (see page 1 of PDF for examples)
- weights (sand, rocks, etc.) to evenly fill each shoebox 1/3 full
- scale (optional)
- shoeboxes
- craft sticks or wooden skewers
- sturdy rubber bands
- paper and pencils
- masking tape
- measuring tapes or yardsticks
Subjects
-
Engineering and Technology
-
Engineering
- Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
-
Engineering
-
Mathematics
- Algebra
-
Data Analysis and Probability
- Data Analysis
- Data Collection
- Data Representation
- Measurement
- Number and Operations
-
Physical Sciences
- Motion and Forces
- Structure and Properties of Matter
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Asking Questions
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
-
The Scientific Process
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- read
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Culture, ethnicity, and gender
-
Girls
- Explicity developed for this group
- Acknowledges this group's contributions to STEM
- Highlights STEM opportunities for this group
- Identifies role models or mentors in STEM fields from this group
- Uses inclusive images of people from this group
Other
Foreign language versions of this resource:
Components that are part of this resource:
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., 2013
Funding Sources:
- National Science Foundation, DRL-1114739
- L'Oreal USA For Girls in Science
- Northrop Grumman Foundation
- PPG Industries Foundation