STEM CHALLENGE Marble Runs and Momentum | 3rd-8th Grade | Low Prep

Description

Marble Runs & Momentum: A Hands-On STEM Engineering Challenge

Get students thinking like engineers with this exciting, hands-on STEM activity! In Marble Runs & Momentum, students design and build their own marble run while exploring the science of motion, gravity, and energy transfer. Using simple household or classroom materials, learners experiment with ramps, turns, tunnels, and obstacles to control how a marble moves through their custom track.

Students discover how slope, momentum, and friction affect motion as they test, adjust, and improve their designs. The activity encourages creative problem-solving while introducing important physics concepts in a fun and approachable way. As they build and refine their marble runs, students naturally engage in the engineering design process—plan, build, test, and improve.

This challenge is perfect for classrooms, homeschool groups, STEM clubs, or enrichment programs. It also works beautifully as a stepping stone toward larger engineering projects like Rube Goldberg machines, helping students understand how one movement can trigger the next in a chain reaction.

What students will explore:

• Gravity and motion
• Momentum and energy transfer
• Ramp design and slope
• Cause-and-effect engineering
• Creative problem solving and iterative design

Included in this lesson:

1. Step-by-Step Instructions for a 60- 90 minute lesson

2. Learning Objectives suitable for 4th-8th grade.

3. Key Vocabulary and Background Information

4. Materials List- Materials you can find around your school or home

5. Student Challenge and Brainstorming Page

6. Student Data Collection Page

7. A Student Reflection Page with critical thinking questions

8. Assessment Rubric

9. Additional Resources

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