Marble Run Mania!

Explore your student’s creativity & problem-solving skills!

Using highly accessible materials, your students will have a blast as they create their own designs to solve a series of challenges in making a marble run work. Designed to allow students to explore momentum, kinetic energy and friction in a constructive environment, this workshop allows students to rapidly predict, test, modify and implement their ideas!

Specifically, this workshop covers:

Balanced and unbalanced forces
Friction
Potential energy vs. Kinetic energy
Momentum and inertia

Quick Links

Australian Curriculum Mapping

for all science workshops & shows

Australian ACARA Content Outcomes:

The way objects move depends on a variety of factors, including their size and shape (ACSSU005)

A push or a pull affects how an object moves or changes shape (ACSSU033)

Forces can be exerted by one object on another through direct contact or from a distance. (ACSSU076).

NSW SCIENCE SYLLABUS CONTENT

for all our incursions

NSW K – 10 Science Syllabus mapping for all our incursions

NSW Science Syllabus Content
A student:

STe-5PW-ST
observes the way objects move and relates changes in motion to push and pull forces

STe-2DP-T
develops solutions to an identified need

ST1-9PW-ST
investigates how forces and energy are used in products

ST1-2DP-T
uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity

ST2-9PW-ST
describes how contact and non-contact forces affect an object’s motion

ST2-2DP-T
selects and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity

Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus
(Implementation from 2027)

For explanatory points & implementation advice for each dot point, please visit the NESA Science and Technology K–6 Curriculum site

STE-SCI-01
identifies and describes characteristics of living things, properties of materials, and movement

STE-PQU-01
poses questions based on observations to collect data

STE-DDT-01
identifies and uses technologies to make products to address user needs or opportunities

ST1-SCI-01
measures and describes changes in living things, materials, movement, Earth and the sky

ST1-PQU-01
poses questions based on observations and information to investigate cause and effect

ST1-DDT-01
uses technologies and materials to design and make products to address user needs or opportunities

ST2-PQU-01
poses questions to create fair tests that investigate the effects of energy on living things and physical systems

ST2-DDT-01
uses a design process to create products to address user needs or opportunities

NSW K – 10 Science Syllabus mapping for all our incursions

Print a PDF which details K to 6 mapping of all our science visits

Engaging for students!

This workshop is designed for students to complement forces, friction and movement in a series of student-centered design challenges.

Can they make the ball loop the loop?
How far can they make the ball jump?
How far can they make the ball travel?
How fast can the ball move?
Can the students add other materials to improve their design?… and more!

The lesson is driven by the students, with our presenter and the classroom teacher working directly with the students to facilitate learning and deeper understanding of why things move.

Posts about this school science incursion on forces

Two students setting up a wooden ramp with balls and pipes

Requirements

Appropriate for Years K to 4 with a maximum of 30 students per class.

A school hall is preferrable for this workshop

Duration 60 minutes. Set up time 30 minutes and pack up time 30 minutes.

During Social Distancing – Contact us
and we’ll tailor a program to suit both your school and the State’s social distancing requirements. Further details here

Go further – Complete Units of Work to support your teaching!

Hours of High-Quality videos, printable experiments, quizzes, vocabulary lists,
Scope & sequences, cross-curricular teaching ideas, marking rubrics & more
Save time & engage students in STEM

Find out more!

Did you know about our larger stage shows?

Designed to engage groups of up to 240 students, pair this workshop with one of these school favourites!

Cost

$550 inc. GST for a 60-minute workshop or $600 inc. GST for a 90-minute workshop.

Find out about offers & discounts here!

In a regional area? Find out how we can attend your school as part of a country science tour!

Call 1300 856 828, or click below to make a booking for your primary school.

Print a PDF for mapping of all our K to 6 science visits

Find out more here

Enquire Now

Extension Ideas!

STEM Full Day Accelerator - Primary

Create a Full Day STEM Accelerator or join us for a rapid science upskill! For schools outside of metropolitan areas please contact us to discuss how this science workshop can be run online or visit your school as part of a regional visit.
Click below to know more!

Scientist Q & A

Often students attend our science workshops and shows with questions that stem beyond the covered topic area. Ask a scientist aims to give students a chance to get their questions answered! Run as a 30-minute session at a cost of $70 inc. GST.

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School Comments View All

I just wanted to pass on how much the staff and students really enjoyed it and how perfect it was to launch our science week activities. The students were enthralled, educated and entertained – a perfect trifecta!

-Caulfield Grammar School – Big Science Big Fun

Thanks so much for presenting at our school on Monday. Our students enjoyed the show.

-Greenvale Primary School – Big Science Big Fun

Fizzics Education curated a thoughtful and hands-on experience for the children, incorporating practical, skill-based learning activities and followed by a science presentation at the end of the event involving liquid nitrogen. This was delivered safely and effectively, capturing both the children and the parents for the duration of the presentation.

-Macquarie Bank – Family Fun Day

Fizzics Education ran a show today at our school and it was wonderful. He was a great facilitator and the show was age appropriate and well done.

-Mount Zion Early learning centre – Little Science Big Fun