Winning Engineering Teams

In science class, 3rd grade students in Ms. Pickering’s 3rd class at Prairie Ridge Elementary have been studying different forces (pushing, pulling, & gravity).

Culminating activity:  Students received a bucket of supplies where they had to work with their partner and design a cart that would roll freely down a ramp (no instructions were given nor were any rules given except that they could only use the items in their bucket, however they didn’t have to use all of the items if they didn’t want to).

Students had two science class periods to design, test-out, and make needed changes.  On Wednesday was “distance challenge” day to see which cart would roll the furthest distance. Attached are pictures of the winning carts, the distance they traveled, and the winning engineering teams.

Students really enjoyed the engaging activity which included a lot of problem solving.

Ridge Science