At Trafford Elementary School, the first-graders of Ms. Stultz’s class enjoyed a STEAM activity with Student Learning Assistant Miss Auel. Students worked together in teams to build the most effective track and a stopper device for a car to slow down and stop at the end of the track. The class utilized a Hot Wheels Speedometry Classroom Kit to make a track. Each group’s stopper consisted of blocks, and the goal was to use the least number of blocks to stop their car without the blocks falling over. Teams used trial and error to see how to create their ramp to work most effectively.
After completing the challenge, students completed a worksheet to report their findings about how the slope, length of track, and number of blocks impacted the cars’ speed.
“The activity allowed the young learners to explore essential concepts of motion and forces while having fun,” said Auel. “It promoted teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills while working together to build their track.”
Beau Bauman, Jazzy Funk, and Zoey McIntyre building their track
Emma Wesolowski and Ian Maldonado testing their track
Emma Wesolowski watches while Beau Bauman tests the track for his group