Task 4: Marshmallow Motion

Context:
This is Task 4 (Lesson 4) of four tasks (lessons) of an overall project of “Escaping 7th Grade Science Room”
This lesson takes place in a classroom for one or more hours
*You may shorten each lesson/task to have the “Escape Room” one day/period.
Students may work in small groups of 2-4.
An emphasis on examining engaging phenomena that show forces acting on different objects.
Facilitate student reflection on the phenomena of when a hockey player hits a puck, it moves across the ice.
Students will construct a marshmallow device to propel marshmallows at force and collect data.
List of Materials
For each group of students
• balloon (2)
• clear plastic cup (2)
• meter stick
• scissors
• metric ruler
• transparent tape
• mini marshmallows (1-2 bags for class)
• procedure sheet/ Task Card
Marshmallowshooter.proc.docx
marshmallowshdata.docx
marshmallowshottaskcard.docx
Discuss that this is “Task 4” of the “Escape 7th Grade Science Room.”
Review how force affects motion and how forces act on objects and have both a strength and a direction. An object at rest typically has multiple forces acting on it, but they are balanced, resulting in a zero net force on the object. Forces that are unbalanced can cause changes in an object’s speed or direction of motion.
Describe the activity to students –They will be investigating force and mass and how those affect the motion of an object. In this lab, students will construct marshmallow shooters to determine what factors can affect force.
Assign one student per group to gather materials. Students will work together to assemble the shooter. Circulate the room to help students having difficulty.
Follow instructions for assembling shooter.
Students will then perform trials shooting marshmallows at various distances and measure the distances to fill out a data chart.
Complete Task Card to explain their data and discuss what worked and what did not.
Turn in Task Card for teacher approval and to move on to next Escape Room Task/Lesson.