Cannon Spring STEM Book Challenge
Newton and Me by Lynne Mayer
About the Book
Newton and Me by Lynne Mayer
While playing with his dog, Newton, the main character discovers force and motion in his everyday activities like throwing a ball, riding a bike, and pulling a wagon.
Listen to a read aloud of the book here:
Newton and Me Read Aloud
About the Challenge
All Cannon scholars are now mechanical engineers experimenting with force and motion!
Step 1
Listen to the book in the Learning Commons with Ms. Wagner between March 18-28.
Step 2
Research, brainstorm, and plan!
- Use your Cannon Force and Motion planning sheet to plan your model.
Grade Level Assignments
Kinder and First Grades
You are a mechanical engineer designing equipment that shows patterns of movement such as zip lines, slides, teeter totters, swings, ramps, and merry-go-rounds.
- Use mostly recyclable materials to build your model.
- Your model should be able to stand up by itself
- Your model should be sturdy enough for other students to experiment with it.
Check out this video for some ideas
My 6 Simple Machines Playground- STEM Projects for Kids
Second and Third Grades
You are a mechanical engineer designing a Mouse Trap-like game where one event or task sets off the next event or task using materials like dominos, ramps, track, pulleys, etc.
- Use mostly recyclable materials to build your game.
- Your game can be no larger than 2 feet X 4 feet.
- Your game should be able to stand up by itself
- If your game has loose pieces like dominos, the base should have a diagram to show how to set it up.
- Your model should be sturdy enough for other students to experiment with it.
Check out this video for some ideas
Rube Goldberg: The TRASH Machine
Fourth and Fifth Grades
You are a mechanical engineer designing a marble roller coaster
- Use mostly recyclable materials to build your roller coaster..
- Your roller coaster must stand on its own
- Your roller coaster must have at least one curve
- Your roller coaster must have at least one loop
- Your model must be sturdy enough for other students to experiment with it.
Check out these videos for some ideas
STEAM for Teens! - Marble Roller Coaster
https://youtu.be/ugv0iWn4G2U?si=1L02VkRHp3HM4P-W
The Ultimate Paper Roller Coaster
Step 3
- Take your planning sheet home, share your design with your family and gather your supplies.
- If you need help with supplies, come to Ms. Wagner in the Learning Commons. She will let you shop in the Makerspace for recyclable things you might need.
- Build the design you planned. Be sure to follow the constraints!
Bring your model to school between April 1-12
Students, teachers, and parents will explore our Force and Motion Playground!
Kristi Wagner
Kristi is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters