T1-L06: Marble Run & Marble Maze Challenges

Name:

Class:

Date:

Folio: pp. 18–21

Outcomes: TE4-PPM-01 TE4-MSC-01 TE4-SAF-01 Folio pp. 18–21

Learning Intention

We are learning how gravity, friction, and iteration affect the design of marble runs and mazes.

Success Criteria

I can explain how gravity and friction affect marble movement
I can design and build a marble run that keeps a marble rolling for 10+ seconds
I can design a marble maze with at least 10 obstacles
I can use iteration to improve my designs

✎

Do Now

What happens when a marble rolls down a steep slope vs a gentle slope? Use the words ‘gravity’ and ‘friction’.

Steep slope: …
Gentle slope: …

📚

Key Vocabulary

Standard: Fill in the definition. | Support: Definitions shown in grey — read and copy into your folio. | Extension: Use each term in a sentence.

Term	Definition	Use in a sentence (Extension)
Gravity	The force that pulls objects towards the ground
Friction	A force that opposes (slows down) motion between surfaces
Momentum	The tendency of a moving object to keep moving
Incline	A sloped or angled surface; a ramp
Obstacle	Something placed in the path that the marble must navigate around
Iteration	Repeating a process of testing and improving a design

🎿

Key Concepts: Gravity, Friction & Iteration

Gravity ↓

Pulls the marble downhill. Steeper slope = more speed.

Friction ⇄

Slows the marble down. Rough surfaces = more friction.

Iteration 🔄

Test → Observe → Identify problem → Modify → Test again

🎿

Design Challenge: Marble Run (Folio pp. 18–19)

Brief: In groups of 2–3, design and build a marble run where the marble rolls for 10+ seconds.

Materials: Cardboard, paper, tape, scissors • Target: 🥇 Bronze 5s • 🥈 Silver 10s • 🥉 Gold 15s+

Planning & Sketch	Results
	Attempt 1 time: sec Attempt 2 time: sec Attempt 3 time: sec Medal earned:

What did you change between attempts? (This is iteration!)

🐈

Design Challenge: Marble Maze (Folio pp. 20–21)

Brief: Design a flat marble maze on an A4/A3 base with at least 10 obstacles the marble must navigate around.

Planning & Sketch	Results
	Number of obstacles: Marble reached the end? Difficulty level:

🔵 Support — Building Tips

Start your marble run high up — gravity needs height to work
Use gentle slopes to slow the marble down and increase time
Add curves and turns — these use friction to slow the marble
For the maze, use cardboard strips glued to the base as walls

Word Bank

gravityfrictionmomentumincline slopespeedobstacleiterate testimproveanglecurve

🟠 Extension — Ultimate Marble Challenge

Can you combine a marble run AND maze into one design? Aim for 20+ seconds total travel time.

Physics challenge: Explain why a marble speeds up going downhill but slows down on a flat surface. Use the words gravity, friction, and momentum.

🎫

Exit Ticket — Reflection

1. Describe what iteration looked like in your team today. Give a specific example.

2. How do gravity and friction affect how a marble moves?

3. What is ONE improvement you made to your marble run or maze, and why did it help?

✅

Self-Assessment

Success Criteria	Got it 🟢	Nearly there 🟠	Need help 🔴
I can explain how gravity and friction affect marble movement	●	●	●
I can design and build a marble run that keeps a marble rolling for 10+ seconds	●	●	●
I can design a marble maze with at least 10 obstacles	●	●	●
I can use iteration to improve my designs	●	●	●