Third graders are optimizing their Maglev Train designs. They have repeatedly gone through test after test to better meet the criteria of the challenge! Students added additional structures and/or weights to balance their trains on the track. Some even changed their designs altogether to make them ride more smoothly! Way to go third grade! |
Third graders are using all the knowledge they've gained about magnetism to use magnets as part of an engineering design challenge.
Here's the situation: People and goods (weights) need to move along a magnetic track. GOAL: Third graders must design a magnetic train that can safely carry as many people and goods across. Students must use the limited materials available. Students must consider how to place their own magnets on their train designs. If the poles facing each other are opposite, the train will attract to the magnetic track and the train will be unable to move. Happy designing third grade! When you get stuck...Improve! Improve! Improve! The results of our last experiment were all over the place. It seemed like stringing paper clips from each magnet did not give us consistent results, so third graders redesigned their experiments to gather more conclusive data. They used a ruler to measure the distance a paper clip jumped to attract to each magnet. What did third graders find? That the farther a paper clip could jump would mean the magnet's strength would be greater! Check out their claims, evidence, and reasoning for this magnetic strength investigation!
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Mrs. BrinzaUnique fact! Some rocks have magnetic properties. Archives
June 2015
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