How could you win a tug-of-war against a bunch of adults?

How could you win a tug-of-war against a bunch of adults?

Lesson narration:
Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS: Tug of War

Can you think of any way for your team to win? Is there something you could do to make it harder for the adults’ team to pull?

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DISCUSS:

Is there some way to stop the adults from being able to push against the ground?

With any ideas you come up with, explain why you think that idea might work.

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Practice: Think about each action below. For each one, ask yourself: Is it a push or a pull? (Answers on next slide.)

squeeze
pinch
tug
smack
drag
lift


Can you come up with any other verbs where there's either a pull or a push?

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squeeze = push
pinch = push
tug = pull
smack = push
drag = pull
lift = It depends how you lift. You could push up on a thing to lift it, or you could pull on it too.
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DISCUSS:

Do you have any ideas for how you could get the watermelon to burst using rubber bands?

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SPECIAL NOTE TO TEACHERS

The next slide features an Activity Video where students learn how to make "Hopper Poppers."

Constructing the hopper takes students about 20-25 minutes. Practicing using their hopper and then completing the "High Hop Score Card" takes an additional 20 minutes.

If your time is limited, there is a natural stopping point after Step 6. Have students write their names on materials, then collect them and resume the activity next science class.

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Slide Image
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Slide Image

pull


1 of 5

to move an object toward you
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push


2 of 5

to move an object away from you
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Slide Image

force


3 of 5

a push or a pull
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balanced forces


4 of 5

two equal forces that push or pull in opposite directions so that the object doesn't move
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unbalanced forces


5 of 5

two forces that push and pull in opposite directions where one force is greater than the other so that the object moves
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Image & Video Credits

Mystery Science respects the intellectual property rights of the owners of visual assets. We make every effort to use images and videos under appropriate licenses from the owner or by reaching out to the owner to get explicit permission. If you are the owner of a visual and believe we are using it without permission, please contact us—we will reply promptly and make things right.

Exploration
watermelon by Mike Mozart , used under CC BY
kids playing tug-of-war by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: Luis Louro
tug of war European championship by Tug of War Association
Olympic weightlifter by Simon Q
Soldiers playing tug of war by SFC Victor Aguirre
Marine playing a tug of war by Cpl. Matthew Callahan
teacher by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: wavebreakmedia
Student teacher Tug-O-War by pittcaleb
roller skating elephant by Carol Buckley
push by Mark Doliner , used under CC BY
dough stretching by Joe Hall , used under CC BY
roller skates by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: Julenochek
dog tug o' war by kellinahandbasket , used under CC BY
pile of watermelons by Mike Mozart , used under CC BY
half watermelon by The Chic Life
slow motion watermelon video by The Slow Mo Guys , used under CC BY
Lesson narration:

Activity Prep

Print Prep

In this lesson, students will see that by learning to think about pushes and pulls — forces — they can accomplish extraordinary things! In the activity, Hopper Popper, students make a folded piece of cardboard jump high in the air, propelled by the pulling force of a rubber band. They discuss the forces involved in making this “Hopper Popper” jump.

Preview activity

Exploration

20 mins

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