Marble Track - Potential and Kinetic Energy Lesson

thingiverse

I created a 3D printed Marble Track to demonstrate Potential and Kinetic Energy and how it transfers. My name is Charlie Burgan and I am 13 years old. Last year in school we learned about this in science class. I am a hands-on learner, so this would have been helpful to me. Print Settings Printer: Micro 3D Rafts: No Supports: No How I Designed This: I used TinkerCad as my software. The first thing that I did was make a small piece of track that I could manipulate to create the whole thing. To do that, I used a piece of small tube and some cubes to make the part. Then I decided to start the track from the bottom so that I could create supports as I went up the track. I used the small piece of track until I decided to make the first tube. I used a community created shape and I changed all of its settings so that it would fit the project. Then I curved certain pieces of the tube to make it more like a marble track. I then raised the tube so that it would have enough potential energy to make it through the track. I added on final raise at the top so that you can store marbles as well as drop them. For the last step, I added supports. Project: Marble Track - Potential and Kinetic Energy Project Name: Marble Track Energy This project will teach students how potential and kinetic energy works, as well as learn what friction and air resistance is. Overview & Background: This project will teach students how potential and kinetic energy works as well as learn what friction and air resistance is by demonstrating it on the track. Objectives: The students will be expected to learn how potential and kinetic energy works and transfers, as well as learn what friction and air resistance is. Audiences: I learned about this in 6th grade, so I would recommend it be for 6th graders. Subjects: This project would be used in science, but it could include math. Skills Learned: The students should have learned how potential energy transforms into kinetic energy. They should have also learned what energy is lost due to friction and air resistance. Lesson/Activity: Step 1: 3D print one marble track for every four students. Step 2: Buy some plastic airsoft pellets (shown in pictures). Step 3: Split your students into groups of four. If you have too many kids, just add one student to each group. Step 3.5: Give each group one track and give each person in the group one pellet. Step 4: Allow the groups to test out the marble track. Step 5: Teach them where the spots with potential energy are. Step 6: Teach them about friction. Step 7: Roll another airsoft pellet down the track so that the students can see how the potential energy and kinetic energy is used. Step 8: Ask questions after each step. Step 9: Have a pop quiz covering what has been taught. Duration: With this project, it depends. If the teacher is thorough, then this should take about two to three hours (split up into different class periods). Preparation: Teachers will need to 3D print one marble track for every four students. They will also need to purchase plastic airsoft pellets. References: http://www.softschools.com/difference/kinetic_energy_vs_potential_energy/124/ http://www.physics4kids.com/files/motion_friction.html Rubric & Assessment: At the end of this project, the students should have learned how potential energy transforms into kinetic energy. They should have also learned what energy is lost due to friction and air resistance. Grading: The pop quiz at the end should be the only grade for this project. Handouts & Assets: None. Parent Permission I, Blaine Burgan, allow my son, Charlie Burgan, to participate in this contest.