The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
Zip a Dee Do Da
Zip a Dee Do Da
A 7th/8th grade STEM lesson
M. DeMuro
July 2023
Notes for teachers
-Set up the zipline prior to starting the activity so students can see what they are working with
-5-6 ft of string that has a gentle slope seems to work best
-When choosing items for weight, a variety of weights is helpful, consider the size of the cup and the mass of the objects you provide, smaller cups mean smaller objects
List of Materials
Engineering Standard 2.0
Create engineering solutions by applying a structured problem-solving/decision making process
Arizona Science Standard 7.P3U1.3 Plan and carry out an investigation that can support an evidence-based explanation of how objects on Earth are affected by gravitational force.
Standards
Engineering Standard 4.0
Apply scientific laws and principles relevant to engineering technology
Objective(s):
Using the available materials, design a carrier to carry your passenger down the zipline in four (4) seconds or less
Agenda (lesson time)
Day 1: Introduce concept of gravity and explain the challenge, students explore the materials and start designing their carriers
Day 2: Students finish designing carrier and begin building
Day 3: Students continue building and testing their carriers
Day 4: Students finish carriers and do final test
Day 5: Finish testing and provide time for revisions and retesting, final assessment
Intro/Driving Question/Opening
You are going on vacation and have decided to go ziplining. There is a twist though, you must design the carrier that will carry you down the zipline.
Hands-on Activity Instructions
This is best as an individual project.
Egg must be removable from the carrier. You’ll need fewer plastic eggs and they won’t use as much masking tape to seal the cup.
Smaller cups work better. Depending upon where you fasten the string, if the cups are too large they will bump against the ground and won’t be able to reach the end of the string. 8-12 oz cups work best.
If you have the space, set up more than one zipline so more students can cycle through testing.
Assessment
Formative Assessment Questions:
-How will you keep the passenger inside your carrier as it travels down the zipline?
-How will you keep your carrier balanced as it travels down the zipline?
-How will you attach your carrier to the zipline?
-What will you use to weigh your carrier down?
Assessment
Summative Assessment Questions:
-How fast did your carrier travel on its first test?
-What changes did you need to make so it traveled faster? Why did you make these choices?
-In the end, how successful were you at this challenge? How fast did your carrier travel? What make it challenging? What made it easy?
Differentiation
Students with small motor challenges may be best working with a partner to build their carrier.
Instead of having the students answer the assessment questions in writing, complete them orally as they test their carrier.
Provide visual examples of carriers
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Alter the zipline length, slope, and/or expected speed