Activity 1: Experiments with
marble-slide elements, cardboard tubes and hoses |
Category:
Construction / Mechanics
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Target group Children of 3 to 6 years in kindergarten |
Goals - handling the marble-slide - observation of how a marbles roll - construction of elements
for the slide - experiments with angles
of inclination and slopes |
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Where? Group area / builder’s corner; marble carpet with different
possibilities for building and experimenting with elements of the
marble-slide and other materials. |
How long? approx. 30 minutes, afterwards free experimenting in a free play
phase. |
What? Set up different tracks by using elements of the marble-slide, hoses
and tubes. |
Preparation Various materials that may be used as elements (tubes, hoses); tape,
wool, scissors |
Steps - The project
“Construction of a marble-slide machine” is briefly presented. - The children
build a marble-slide from well-known marble-slide elements. - They slope one
section more steeply downwards and observe how the marbles behave. - They build a
gradient upwards and observe if the marble rolls all the way up. - They think of
possibilities to extend the slide and try these out. - They collect
ideas for the use of the hoses and tubes and put them into practice together.
- They compare
their marble-slide elements with the construction sketch of the marble-slide
machine. |
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Scientific explanation The force of gravity makes a marble roll down a slope. A marble only
rolls uphill shorty and if it has gained enough momentum. The track may not
be interrupted, thresholds have to be smooth (without edges, gaps and
corners). |
Possible variation Next the children may install the marble-slide elements and the hose
into the cabinet which will become the marble-slide machine. Craftsmanship is
required in order to screw the elements together or to drill holes into the
boards. |
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Note!
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Source |
Previous experiences in handling the marble-slide made good ideas come
to the children easily, and they put their ideas into practice with ease. The
children were supportive of their playmates’ ideas and extended them while they
were playing. The girls decorated the slide with bridges, tunnels etc. They
laboriously taped the cardboard tubes together, whereas among the boys one
child had to hold the tubes.
To activity 2