Friction and Movement Lab
Get a grip! Friction affects motion, and movement is difficult without friction. Walking or riding a bike requires friction. Friction keeps us from slipping and sliding when we walk, and turns kinetic energy into heat!
In this lab, students have access to a variety of tools to study friction and its effects on motion and energy. They will use remote control cars to learn that changes in friction require adjustments, drive virtually on mixed friction surfaces, harness potential energy to build the fastest mini cars, and compete with low friction air hockey! Each center and its tools allow students to engage with friction in multiple settings.
Lesson Centers
Lesson Centers
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This mini lesson reviews different types of friction, energy, its uses, and engineering considerations like frictional heating. They will know and understand where friction exists in their daily lives, how high and low friction affect movement, and how friction keeps them safe!
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Students will practice driving our RC test vehicles with special tires to understand the effects of low friction, low traction surfaces on movement and travel!
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Students will practice driving high friction, high traction vehicles with a PC based dynamic vehicle simulator. Surface types, and the damage resulting from unsafe conditions are all modeled!
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What happens when two objects slide or rub against each other? They heat up! What happens when friction is reduced? They slip and slide! Students will slide hockey pucks to the highest scores in this activity!
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Students will build mini cars, managing frictional losses in their designs to craft an efficient vehicle. A limited amount of potential energy is available, so they’ll be in for a challenge. Students will have the opportunity to take time and distance measurements to verify their skills!
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Student time - About 3 hours in which 3 Classes will rotate in and out. This is similar to library scheduling.
Set up time - 1 hour prior to kids’ arrival is needed.
NGSS Standards
PS2.A: Forces and Motion
PS2.B: Types of Interactions
PS3.A: Definitions of Energy
Cause and Effect: (1- PS4-1), (1-PS4-2), (1-PS4-3)
Lab Timing ~ 55 Minutes per class group, with a 5 minute buffer.
~ 10 Minute Mini Lesson
~10minute Simulation Center
~10 Minute Low Grip Driving Center
~ Air Hockey 10 Minute Infrared Visualizer Center
~10 Minute car building center.
5 Minute wrap up.
Supervision Supervision via valued teachers is required.
Lab Centers are best suited for 24-30 kids.
** The RCs, are equipped with oversized bumpers and low grip tires, keeping speeds perfect for indoor fun.
**Fewer students may be sent, (Admin discretion)
**Custom class sizes, grade level combinations, or other participants are per Admin’s Discretion.
Lab centers include Remote Controlled test vehicles, tracks, IR Camera, and accompanying hardware.
Location - An Indoor location with electricity is needed.
Fire lane/ vehicle access near classroom is required to expedite set up.
