Ping Pong Ball Run Challenge
STEM Engineering Adventure Design • Build • Test Year 4-6 Team Challenge
WALT: We Are Learning To
Design and construct a functional ping pong ball run Work collaboratively in mixed-year teams Apply engineering design principles Test and improve our creations Understand gravity and motion concepts
Success Criteria
Ball run must be at least 25cm tall Include a 2.5cm drop at the end Ball travels from start to finish successfully Use only provided materials effectively Work cooperatively as a team Create and follow a construction plan
Meet Your Team Challenge
Form groups of 6 students 2 from Year 4, 2 from Year 5, 2 from Year 6 Choose team roles: Designer, Builder, Tester, Materials Manager, Timekeeper, Recorder Introduce yourselves and share one engineering idea
Your Materials Kit
{"left":"30 sheets of A4 paper\n1 roll of cellotape\n1 large cardboard base","right":"1 ping pong ball\nScissors (shared)\nRulers for measuring"}
The Engineering Design Process
ASK: What is our challenge? IMAGINE: Brainstorm creative solutions PLAN: Draw your design first CREATE: Build your ball run EXPERIMENT: Test and observe IMPROVE: Make it better!
Planning Time: Design Your Ball Run
Sketch your ball run design on paper Label the height (must be 25cm+) Mark the 2.5cm drop at the end Plan how to use your 30 sheets of paper Discuss roles: who does what? Get teacher approval before building
Think Like an Engineer
How will gravity help your ping pong ball move? What might make your ball run fail? How can you make sure the ball doesn't fall off the track? What will you do if your first design doesn't work?
Build Time Guidelines
You have 15 minutes to build Follow your approved design plan Older students: help younger teammates Test as you build - don't wait until the end! Ask for help if you're stuck Remember: teamwork makes the dream work!
Test, Celebrate, and Reflect
Each team tests their ball run Measure height and drop distance Celebrate what worked well Discuss what you would improve Share your biggest challenge Vote for most creative design!