Fun Marble Runs!

Artist and Engineer, Leonardo Da Vinci once said, 'Learn how to see. Realise that everything connects to everything else.' He demonstrated this by combining and connecting science and art to make important discoveries.

Why does this matter? STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) focused on science concepts. Kids who learn creative methods in STEAM (including Art within the acronym) make connections between concepts, learn to inquire and problem-solve in new and exciting ways. 

So finally, art and creative methods are being acknowledged more than ever as vital for future-ready employees in business and industry. One way we incorporate STEAM into our play is with marbles to encourage our kids to be creative and challenge their engineering skills. 

We were inspired to create our own version of Marble Runs and Trampolines from this post on Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls - thank you so much Mama Sarah for your amazing ideas that helped to grow my kids basic understanding of physics concepts!

WHAT WE USE:

• Building toys – wooden blocks, wooden bridge train tracks and paper towel rolls
• Marble trampoline(s) - Cut the neck off a balloon, with scissors, and stretch it over the top of a plastic or steel cup or bowl

• Marbles
• Masking tape

LET'S CREATE!
Try dropping a marble on a balloon to see it bounce! Then get to work creating marble runs that include your trampolines!  Our first track was simple, and we used wooden blocks to support the wooden bridge train tracks.  We also used masking tape to attach the paper towel rolls to the blocks.

CONNECT & INSPIRE...
Not only is this a great collaborative and engineering activity, but a great way to learn physics concepts and observation skills for older kids. My two sons enjoyed observing the following challenges I gave them:

• How high does the marble bounce if you increase the height of the track over the trampoline?
• Will the marble bounce higher if the track is longer?

Khan Academy is a great source to discuss the high-level physics concepts applied here. Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls describe it well and paraphrased here: There is potential energy in a marble before it is released at the top of a track. When the marble is released onto the track, it has kinetic energy. As the marble rolls down the track, it gains momentum and it continues to roll faster because of acceleration and gravity which means it's velocity increases as well. 

I would love to hear what you think in the comments section!

Go to Amazing Mazes, Painting with Marbles and Sensory Play with Light for some more creative STEAM activities.