How can we protect a mountain town from falling rocks?

How can we protect a mountain town from falling rocks?
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
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If`a`rock`tumbles
slowly,`what`do`you
think`will`happen
if`it`bumps`into`a
tree?

Now`say`it’s`moving
fast.`What`do`you
think`will`happen
if`it`bumps`into`a
tree?

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How`could`you
change`which`way
the`boulder`was
rolling,`so`that`it
wouldn’t`hit`the
house?

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Slide Image

push


1 of 4

to move an object away from you
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direction


2 of 4

the path an object takes as it moves
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experiment


3 of 4

a test used to discover new information about a question
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Slide Image

model


4 of 4

a pretend version of something that scientists use when the real thing is too big, small, or complicated to work with

Featured Reviews

“Very interactive and engaging for kindergartners”
· Kelly · Teacher
“Even my ELL students were using the vocabulary and explaining their strategies!!!”
· Allison · Teacher
“Students LOVED trying to find a path that would not smash tiny town. They learned a lot about how scientists try ONE small change at a time to figure out a solution.”
· Liz · Teacher
“I loved that they got to do trial and error, and that this is following the scientific method. Easier to create and fun for the kids. We used sticky tack (or safety reasons) and that worked well, too.”
· Julia · Teacher
“Clever way to explore forces. Super easy to set up.”
· Sheryl · Teacher
“The students LOVED the activity, and did a great job explaining why it worked for them. They all had success in their teams. So much fun!”
· · Teacher
“The experiment was great! Love the easy supply lists for all experiments. Thank you!”
· Michelle · Teacher
“Loved it! The students have continued to work/play with the activities from this unit even after we've completed the lesson. They like to challenge themselves to find different ways to set up the push pins and who can use the least amount of pins to get the ball to go where they want it to. Great lesson, thanks!”
· Karen · Teacher
“Kids really responded well. They used vocabulary so well in their discussions with each other.”
· Pete · Teacher
“The entire lesson was well constructed. The real world examples were an important step in helping to understand both the concept and the problem the hands on activity was fantastic. My students were so engaged as they collaborated together to find a solution. ”
· Martha · Teacher
“What a fun hands on activity that really sparked the students interests!!! We ALL had a great time participating!!!”
· Elaine · Teacher
“The kids were incredibly excited to do the experiment and would cheer when their "tiny town" did not get knocked down.”
· Susan · Teacher
“Clear, concise video explanations with a great follow-up activity. Thank you”
· · Teacher
“The class loved the experiment. They really learned about force.”
· Arlene · Teacher
“Students loved it! Very fun. I was grateful that the videos showed a step by step look at what they should be doing.”
· Courtney · Teacher
“The directions were really easy to follow, and the challenge level was appropriate.”
· Kristi · Teacher
“My students really liked this activity more than most. ”
· Doris · Teacher
“Wonderful! It was tricky for them to place the pushpins in locations that would work, but they persevered! Great critical thinking skills!”
· Ingrid · Teacher
“The kids really loved the activity. They were excited to try different ways to place the pins. I kept a few of the boards out and the kids experimented with them when they had some free time as well. ”
· Leslie · Teacher
“Kids had a wonderful time with them lesson. They can't wait to show their parents at conferences. ”
· Jenny · Teacher
“Great pace! Clear and concise!”
· Therese · Teacher
“My kids LOVED the activity. They were so excited that several of them went home and did the boulder activity with their families.”
· Tiffany · Teacher
“The optional videos about Snow Rangers and Avalanche experts were a great addition to the lesson! ”
· Cathy · Homeschooler
“The kids loved the challenge of trying to get the boulder into the truck! I made them repeat it five times in a row before they could consider their route a success. ”
· Chriss · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students investigate how pushes can change the speed and direction of falling objects. In the activity, Boulder Bounce, students play a game where they design a solution that protects a model town called Tiny Town from a bouncing-ball “boulder.”
Preview activity

I have a Mystery Pack

Tiny Town Houses printout 1 per pair
Hardcover Books
Each pair of students needs a stack that’s about 3 inches high.
Details
2 books per pair
Corrugated Cardboard
Each pair needs four pieces measuring 8½ x 11 (or you can use a clipboard and 2 pieces of corrugated cardboard).
Details
4 pieces per pair
Dixie Cups (3 oz)
2 cups per pair
Large Binder Clips (2")
If you are using clipboards and 2 pieces of cardboard, you do not need this supply.
Details
1 clip per pair
Masking Tape
1 foot per pair
Push Pins
5 pins per pair
Ping Pong Balls
Bouncy balls also work.
Details
1 ball per pair
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.

We suggest one game station for every pair of students, but you can set up as many stations as you think might be practical for your classroom.

Set Up Game Stations Before Class

Tiny Town

  1. Make a “cardboard hill” by stacking 4 pieces of cardboard and clipping them together using a large binder clip. (If you are using a clipboard, stack two pieces of cardboard and insert under the clip of the clipboard.)

  2. Make a 3-inch stack of books on a desk or table. Make a hill by setting the clipped end of your cardboard on the edge of the books.

  3. Tape the bottom of the cardboard to the table with masking tape to keep the assembly from slipping.

  4. Tape one cup to the top right corner of the cardboard. Be sure the lip of the cup sits ON TOP of the cardboard’s edge, and not below it.

  5. Tape the other cup to the bottom left corner of the cardboard, so that it hangs off the edge of the clipboard and onto the table. Be sure the lip of the cup sits BELOW the edge of the cardboard, and not on top of it.

  6. Cut out the Tiny Town houses, fold, and place them next to the cup at the bottom of the ramp. Stick the pushpins into the top left corner of the assembly, and the game station is ready to go.

Exploration

17 mins

Hands-On Activity

20 mins

Wrap-Up

3 mins

Extend this lesson

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Student slideshow: English | Spanish

Teacher printout: English & Spanish

Video

Video

Avalanches can be very dangerous, but sometimes it is necessary to create controlled avalanches to protect towns and people. Here are several videos demonstrating different ways people create avalanches:

Avalanche control experts drop explosives from a helicopter to create an avalanche. Trained climbers knock down loose rocks before they become dangerous for cars driving below.

Activity

Activity

Create an Avalanche: Instructions to make a simple and safe avalanche from the US Forest Service.

Force Experiments: Simple and fun projects from We Are Teachers, teaching all about pushes and pulls.

Transcripts

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Credits
 
Pushes Tx Lesson 5: How can we protect a mountain town from falling rocks?

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