1. TESLA Balance and Motion 2011
Rolling Cups Lesson 7
TESLA Balance and Motion 2011

2. The Big Idea of this Investigation
Our physical world is governed by the properties and interaction of objects and how force affects motion.

3. ENGAGING SCENARIO
The Lewiston Toy Company is very pleased with the information we have given them about wheels. They now have a new problem. They are thinking about making some other toys that roll. They would like for you to test some models that they think will help make some more good rolling toys. The Lewiston Toy Company needs your help in testing these models to see if they will work. They have sent us some materials and printed information that may help us. They also need us to continue to keep accurate records and labeled drawings in our science notebooks so we can report what we found out in a couple of weeks.
What is the problem we need to solve?
What do we need to investigate?

4. Kit Inventory
These are the objects that have been sent to us by the Lewiston Toy Company. I have put them in this large bag. Let’s see if we can identify them.
What color/shape is the object?
Where have you seen this object before?
What do you think we will use this for in the unit? 4

5. We have already had several experiences with one type of rolling toy
We have already had several experiences with one type of rolling toy. --- Our wheel and axle systems.
For this investigation the Lewiston Toy Company has asked us to use some large and small cups to design new toys that roll.
Lets start by exploring how our cups roll on the ramp.
Does the cup roll straight down the ramp?
Why did the cup roll in a circle?
What determines the direction the cup will roll?
Does the smaller cup roll in a bigger circle or a smaller circle?
Could we pretend that our cup was a car and make the cup park in the garage under the ramp?

6. Focus Question (What is the problem?)
The Lewiston Toy Company is interested in having cups that do many tricks, but they are hoping you can help them find a way to make the cups roll straight.
Focus Question (What is the problem?)
Discuss with your group of scientists a possible focus question for this investigation.
How are the materials in the boxes organized? How can we find out the common property in each of the boxes?
How can we make the cups roll straight?
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7. Prediction (related to the focus question)
The Lewiston Toy Company has sent along some extra cups and tape. They were hoping these materials may help you solve the problem.
Prediction (related to the focus question)
How are the materials in the boxes organized? How can we find out the common property in each of the boxes?
I think that if we _________________________ the cups will roll straight. I think this because…
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8. Solving our Problem
Scientists always try to make careful observations.
Record examples of how you assembled your cups in your science notebook. Scientists use labels and pay attention to detail so other people can understand their drawings.
Test your ideas to see if you can solve the problem. If you think you found a design that works, make a drawing of your design in your science notebook. Be sure to label all of your drawings.
Sometimes scientists like to record the ideas that don’t work because these ideas can also help us understand the problem.
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9. Making Meaning Conference
What happened when you placed a single cup on the slope (ramp)?
How can you tell which direction a cup will roll?
How can you make a cup that rolls straight?
The Lewiston Toy Company also sent us some pennies. They said that each group could have two pennies to use however they wish. You can tape your pennies to the cup in any location to see if they can change the way your cups roll.
Test your ideas to see if the pennies can make your cups do different tricks. If you think you have an idea that works, make a drawing of your design in your science notebook. Be sure to label and describe what you observed.
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10. Making Meaning Conference
How does adding pennies (weight) to your cups effect the way the cups rolls?

11. Claims and Evidence
Use your own words, or words from the word wall, to help you complete the following sentences in your science notebook.
I claim that a cup rolls in the direction of the _________ end. I know this because…
I claim that cups will roll straight when…
I know this because…
I claim that a penny taped to _________________ will make the cups roll _______________________________. I know this because…
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12. Reflection/Conclusion
Revisit your original prediction and respond to one of the following stems:
My prediction was accurate or was not accurate because…..
I wish to revise my prediction because…
My original thinking has changed because…
What did you learn…?
What really surprised you…?
What new questions do you have…?
What would you like to know more about…?
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