The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Marvelous Marble Mazes: Exploring Motion with Marbles Part 2

Marvelous Marble Mazes: Exploring Motion with Marbles Part 2

A 1st grade STEM lesson

Angela Molina

June 25, 2024

Notes for teachers

• This lesson takes place in a classroom for one-two class periods 30-45 minutes each.

​

• Students may work with a partner during the beginning of the lesson. Each student should create their own marble maze.

​

• Facilitate student discussion/ reflection throughout the lesson.

List of Materials

• Pencil
• Slate/Marker
• Graph Paper
• Tape
• Straws
• 1 Pizza Box Per Student
• 1 Marble Per Student
• 1 Medicine Cup or Cap Per Student (used as the goal)

Standards

Science

​

P2: Objects can affect other objects at a distance.

P3: Changing the movement of an object requires a net force to be acting on it.

1.P3U1.3 Plan and carry out investigations which demonstrate how equal forces can balance objects and how unequal forces can push, pull, or twist objects, making them change their speed, direction, or shape.

​

Crosscutting Concepts:

Patterns; Cause and Effect

​

• ​
• ​

Standards

Science and Engineering Practices

​

Ask questions and define problems

Develop and use models

Plan and carry out investigations

Use math and computational thinking

Construct explanations and design solutions

Obtain, Evaluate, and communicate information

​

Art

2. Organize and Develop Artistic Ideas and Work a. Explore uses of materials, tools, approaches (e.g., using elements of modern art, applying artistic ideas from diverse cultures) to create works of art or design.

​

Objective:

Today students will understand different types of motion (zigzag, round and round, up and down, and back and forth) through the construction and analysis of marble mazes.

Agenda- One-two class periods 30-45 minutes each

• Review different types of motions
• Introduce Challenge
• Solve practice mazes
• Plan Marble Maze
• Construct Marble Maze
• Test, Observe, and Reflect on Marble Mazes

​

Different Types of Motion Review

​

​

Yesterday, we learned about four different types of motion. The we created a marble painting using those different motions.

On your whiteboard please list the four different types of motion. Also list the different types of forces we discussed.

Today’s Challenge

A toy company has hired you to make a marble maze. People will hold it in their hands to play. People will tilt the maze different ways to move the marble. They will try to move the marble from start to finish.

​

Criteria

For your marble maze to be successful, it must…

• include all four types of motion discussed.
• take a person at least 10 seconds to solve.
• have at least one dead end.

Constraints

• You may only use materials provided to you.
• You will only have _________ to construct your maze.

What questions do you need to ask?

Let’s practice solving some mazes!

Your maze will moze a marble as people tilt it. Which materials could you use for the walls in your maze?

Let’s Plan!

Sketch your marble maze. Label where it starts and ends. Label materials for each part.

1. Plan your steps.

​

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Students will individually create a marble painting using the motions we have discussed.
• Gather your materials.
• Plan your steps.
• Keep track of problems as they come up.
• Write down how you solved them.

​

​

Sometimes, engineers change their plans as they build. What changes did you make while building your marble maze?

Test and Observe

Directions: Time yourself solving your maze. Time two other people. Record the results. Mark the criteria that were successful.

Assessment

Differentiation

Allow students to work in small groups.

​

Allow added time.

​

Support students with ideas by showing them examples.

​

Support students with timing their mazes by having them use a timer beforehand.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Challenge students to create obstacles and add a point system to their maze.