Explore gravity, friction, energy, and acceleration as participants assemble a maze and have others try to solve it!
Start by splitting the participants into two teams. The first team then has 3 minutes to build a maze by placing an assortment of 3" wide barriers and hills on a 4' x 4' tarp via hook-and-loop fasteners, as well as indicating the beginning and the end of the maze with patches. The other team then gets the chance to try and solve the maze by maneuvering a small foam ball through it. Through the process, participants will discuss what makes the maze challenging, what one team did differently than the other to solve the maze faster, and identify real world examples that rely on similar mechanics observed during the activity.
This STEM Kit accommodates up to 24 participants working together.
Contents
- 1 4' x 4' Tarp
- 18 Barriers
- 3 24" Barriers
- 6 12" Barriers
- 9 6" Barriers
- 2 Hills
- 1 Ball Trap
- 1 Start Patch
- 1 Stop Patch
- 6 2.5" Foam Balls
- Resource Binder
This STEM Kit was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.