Push, Pull, Go!

We are using an engineering kit called, Push, Pull, Go, Building Blocks of Science by Carolina curriculum.  The scholars are once again working with a partner to complete the various activities. We began with the pairs 'playing' with the materials in their materials bucket. Pairs sorted and counted the materials they would be using throughout, spent some time describing the properties of the materials and finally had a little time to just 'play'.

Next the pairs worked together to construct a ramp. They then engaged in various activities using the ramp and a ball. Some of the questions they were asked included: Do you expect the ball to move the same way every time? What words describe how the ball moves? How does the ball start moving on the ramp? What is the force that starts the ball moving on the ramp? What is the force that stops the ball from rolling away? Is there a way to change the ball's direction after it leaves the ramp? We also tried these same activities with a larger ball and ramps we found around our school.

On a different day, the pairs constructed a swing. Again the scholars were asked to carry out various experiments using the swing. Some of the take aways were: 1) When the swing is not in motion, it takes a force (push or pull) to cause motion. 2) The bigger the push, the higher and faster the swing will go than with a smaller push. 3) It takes a force to stop the swing from moving. 4) The motion of a swing is predictable. 

We concluded by having a discussion comparing the ramp and ball to the swing. First we shared how they were alike: 1) They are both a system.  2) The ball moves and the swing moves. 3) they were both constructed using some of the same pieces. 4) they both require a force to get them moving. 5) Both are found on our playground. 6) Both are fun! They are also different: 1) The swing uses a push or pull and the ball uses a push. 2) The swing's motion is predictable, the ball's motion is not. 3) The swing has a moving part, the ramp does not. Next steps for us will be to go outside and observe the swing and slide.