STEM CHALLENGE Zip Lines and Falling Weights Challenge | 3rd-8th Grade | Low Prep

Zip Line & Falling Weights STEM Challenge: Gravity in Motion

Bring physics to life with the Zip Line & Falling Weights STEM Challenge, an exciting hands-on activity where students design a system that uses gravity and falling weights to create motion. Using simple, everyday materials, students build a working zip line and explore how energy can be transferred to move objects in a controlled and purposeful way.

In this engaging challenge, students investigate how variables like height, weight, tension, and friction impact performance. By testing and refining their designs, they experience the engineering design process—plan, build, test, and improve—while developing a deeper understanding of how gravitational potential energy converts into motion.

As students experiment with different setups, they learn how small adjustments can dramatically change outcomes, making this activity both highly interactive and concept-rich.

Students will explore:

• Gravity and its role in motion
• Energy transfer from falling objects
• Effects of friction and tension
• Cause-and-effect relationships in systems
• Problem solving through testing and redesign

Why educators love this activity:

• Uses simple, low-cost materials
• Easy to set up with minimal prep
• Highly engaging and hands-on
• Encourages experimentation and critical thinking
• Connects real-world physics to student-built systems

Perfect for classrooms, homeschool environments, STEM labs, or enrichment programs, the Zip Line & Falling Weights STEM Challenge turns basic materials into a powerful learning experience as students discover how gravity can drive motion and power simple machines.

Included in this lesson:

1. Step-by-Step Teacher Guide for a 60-90 minute lesson with learning objectives appropriate for 4th-8th Grade

2. Materials List

3. Student Brainstorming and Challenge Page

4. Student Data Collection Page

5. Student Reflection Page

6. Assessment Rubric

7. Additional Resources