Objective: 

Students will investigate how changes in ramp height and object mass affect motion, modeling Newton’s First and Second Laws. They will plan and conduct experiments, analyze the forces involved, and record how these variables influence an object’s motion.

Materials Needed:

• Toy cars

• Ramps (made from cardboard or wood)

• Weights (to alter the mass of the cars)

• Measuring tape or rulers

• Recording sheets

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • Start by discussing how forces like gravity and friction affect the motion of objects. 

  • Ask, “What do you think will happen if we increase the height of a ramp or add weight to a car?”

• Group Activity: 

  • In small groups, students will experiment with toy cars and ramps of different heights. 

  • They will measure how far the cars travel with changes to the ramp height and the car’s mass, recording their data on sheets.

• Testing Variables: 

  • After collecting initial data, students will change one variable at a time (either the ramp height or the mass of the car) and observe how it impacts the motion. 

  • They will record the results and compare them with their initial data.

• Presentation and Discussion: 

  • Each group will present their findings to the class, explaining how the changes in force and mass influenced the distance the car traveled. 

  • Lead a discussion on how Newton’s Laws of Motion apply to these real-world experiments.

Equity and Access: 

Provide pre-assembled ramps and toy cars for students who need additional support. Pair students with varying abilities to encourage collaborative learning, ensuring that everyone can participate in the hands-on activity.

Real-World Application: 

Connect the lesson to real-world applications like designing ramps for accessibility or understanding how weight impacts the efficiency of vehicles.

CS Practice(s):

• Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems: Students identify how variables like mass and ramp height affect the motion of objects.

• Developing and Using Abstractions: Students break down the experiment into manageable parts, testing one variable at a time to observe changes in motion.

Standard(s):

• CA NGSS MS-PS2-2

Objective: 

Students will use a robot to simulate how changes in variables (mass and ramp angle) affect motion. They will program the robot to move down a ramp, adjusting variables in their code and observing the effects on speed, distance, and control. This activity will reinforce concepts of forces and motion while integrating computational thinking through programming and data analysis.

Materials Needed:

• Programmable robots (e.g., LEGO EV3, VEX IQ)

• Ramps (adjustable height/angle)

• Weights (to increase robot mass)

• Tablets or computers with robot programming software

• Recording sheets for data collection

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • Begin by explaining that students will experiment with how changes in mass and ramp angle affect the movement of a robot. 

  • Ask, “What do you think happens when a robot moves down a steeper ramp? How does adding weight change how far it goes?”

• Group Activity: 

  • In small groups, students will program their robots to move down a ramp. 

  • Each group will adjust variables such as the angle of the ramp or the mass of the robot by adding weights. 

  • Using their programming software, students will control the robot’s speed and observe how different variables impact motion.

• Testing Variables: 

  • Students will run tests by adjusting one variable at a time—either ramp angle or robot mass—and observe the effects on speed, distance, and control. 

  • They will collect data for each trial, documenting how each variable change alters the robot’s behavior.

• Refining the Program: 

  • After running initial tests, students will refine their program to better control the robot’s motion. 

  • They may adjust the speed, timing, or sensor inputs to improve performance based on the variables they’ve changed. 

  • The goal is to optimize the robot’s travel under different conditions.

• Presentation and Discussion: 

  • Each group will present their findings, sharing how changes in mass and ramp angle affected the robot's movement. 

  • Lead a class discussion on how the computational model (programming) helped them explore real-world physics concepts such as forces, mass, and motion.

Equity and Access: 

Provide a pre-written robot program with adjustable variables for students who may need extra support. Pair students with varied experience levels in programming and robotics to ensure all students can engage in the task.

Real-World Application: 

Connect the lesson to real-world engineering challenges, such as designing vehicles or machinery that must operate under varying conditions, like different weights and terrain angles. Highlight how engineers use programming and physical testing to optimize designs.

CS Practice(s):

• Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts: Students adjust variables in their robot program, testing the effects of changes in mass and ramp angle on robot movement.

• Developing and Using Abstractions: Students model physical forces and motion through robot programming, observing how changes in code affect real-world behavior.

Standard(s):

• CA NGSS MS-PS2-2

• CA CS 6-8.DA.9