Español
Materials
- two identical ramps or one very wide ramp
- pairs of identical balls (for example: 2 tennis balls, 2 ping pong balls, 2 golf balls, etc.)
- a rug
- masking tape
- “Different Surfaces and Objects” chart
- camera or video camera
Key Science Concepts
- The motion and speed of a rolling or sliding object is affected by the shape and texture of the object and the texture of the surface on which it is rolling or sliding.
Vocabulary
Encourage terms such as surface, texture, bumpy, smooth, farther, closer, bigger, smaller, heavier, and lighter as well science process words such as observe, compare, same, different, change, and test.
Directions
Tell children that today they’ll do another activity about the surface and texture of ramps, this time indoors.
- Review the activity children did yesterday, “Ramps with Different Surfaces.” Using the “Different Surfaces and Objects” chart, ask them to recall the different surfaces they experimented with outside (grass, concrete, etc.). Ask, On which surface did the ball roll farther? Why do you think that was?
- Point out two contrasting floor surfaces in your room: for example, smooth tile and a rug. Have children feel and describe the two surfaces. Ask them to predict on which surface a ball would roll farther. Why do they think that is?
- Set up two identical ramps (or one wide ramp) side by side: one on the smooth floor surface and one on a rug. Provide two identical balls. Say, “1, 2, 3, Go!” and let two children gently release the balls so they roll down the ramps. Let the balls roll until they come to a natural stop. Have the group talk about what they notice and help them mark the distance each ball rolled with masking tape.
- Try the same experiment several times. Are the results the same or almost the same each time?
- Encourage children to try the experiment with other sets of identical balls.
Reflect and Share
After children have experimented with the ramps on the floor and the rug, encourage them to report on what they observed, share their discoveries, and pose other questions that they want to explore. Have them add the floor and the rug to the “Different Surfaces and Objects” chart.
