Hands-on Inquiry: Big Idea 13:
Forces and Changes in Motion

Station 1: SC.5.P.13.1

Station 2: SC.5.P.13.4

Station 3: SC.5.P.13.2; SC.5.P.13.3

Station 4: SC.5.P.13.1

Station 5: SC.5.P.13.1

Station 6: SC.5.P.13.1; SC.5.P.13.2; SC.5.P.13.3;

SC.5.P.13.4

STATION 1

Conduct an investigation to explore the mass and force of air. Gather the following materials: two small same size balloons, string, ruler, tape and a pin.Safety Rule! Only use pin and balloons as directed in the procedures.

Procedures:

  1. Tie a string around the center of a ruler. Blow upthe balloons to about the same size.Tape one balloon to each end of the ruler.
  2. Hold up the string so that the ruler hangs flat. Adjust the position of the string so that the balloons are level and the ruler is even with the floor.
  3. Observe. Are the forces on the ruler balanced? How do you know? Explain.
  4. Pop one of the balloons with a pin. What happens to the ruler? What force has changed?
  5. Create a poster to explain the change in forces.

Bonus: Choose another example to analyze the difference between balanced and unbalanced forces at work. If possible, do the activity at your station. Create a chart, poster, PowerPoint, or other digital-style presentation illustrating both the forces.

STATION 2

Conduct an investigation using the concept of a “tug-of-war” to differentiate between a balanced and unbalanced force. Create a diagram that shows how the “tug-of-war” demonstrates the concept of balanced and unbalanced forces.

STATION 3

  • Develop a problem statement to investigate the effects that two balls with different masses have in knocking down the same target.
  • Make a hypothesis.
  • Design a plan and carry out the experiment to explore how mass, force, and motion of objects work together.
  • Collect data.
  • Write a conclusion and defend it with evidence.
  • Be ready to present your work.

STATION 4

Design at least three demonstrations to explain how forces affect the movement of toys (balls, marbles, block, Slinkys, or cars). Create a poster to explain the forces’ effects on the toys’ motion.

STATION 5

  • Develop a problem statement to explore how friction on various surfaces affects a ball rolling or the pulling/pushing of a block.
  • Design a plan and carry out the experiment to test the differences in friction on different surfaces.
  • Collect data.
  • Draw a conclusion.
  • Create a presentation to report your findings.

STATION 6

Imagine you are a soccer team coach and stormy weather has canceled outdoor practice. You decide to have indoor practice and play a game of Straw Soccer.

  • Use textbooks to make a soccer field on a table. Design goal posts using clay, a cup and two markers each.
  • Place obstacles such as small blocks on the field to represent players.
  • Use a straw to blow on a ping pong ball to try to score a goal.
  • You must remain seated during the game.
  • Set a game time and keep record of how many goals are scored by each team.

Create a diagram to explain why when a ball is coming towards your goal,you have to first stop its forward motion before sending it in another direction.