Step 1: Print out materials and get supplies
To make and test a Hopper, each student needs:
- Enough “light chipboard” to cut a 3” x 6” rectangle — available at craft or office supply stores or on Amazon. (This chipboard is about as thick as the cardboard used to for cereal boxes, so you also have the option of raiding the recycling bin for supplies.)
- A ruler
- A pen
- Scissors
- 2 or 3 #16 rubber bands — available at craft or office supply stores or on Amazon. (These rubber bands are 1/16” wide and about 2” long, measured from one end of the loop to the other.)
- 1 Launch Pad Handout
- 1 High Hop Scorecard
It's never a bad idea for students to wear safety glasses, available for a good price here.
For open-ended exploration, the class will also need:
- Extra chipboard for students who want to make additional hoppers
- Rubber bands of different sizes and thicknesses
To help guide students during open-ended exploration, the teacher needs a printout of Teacher Tips .
Step 2: Prepare for class
If you want your students to practice measuring, you can have them cut 3” x 6” rectangles from chipboard before you begin this mystery.
Otherwise, we recommend you cut the chipboard into 3” x 6” rectangles before class. It doesn’t take long if you use a paper cutter.