Project Details
Theme
November | Physics
Messy Level
2
Suggested Location
Class or lab
Prep & Classroom Structure
Prep:
Before class, pre-package LEGO wheels, axles, and bricks at each student's table.
Pre-cut 3–4 test surfaces, such as felt, foil, sandpaper, and wax paper.
Class Flow
5 min: Share video, explain friction and make a prediction.
10 min: Build a simple LEGO car.
15 min: Test the car on different surfaces.
10 min: Change one thing and test again.
5 min: Share what worked.
Materials
• Lego cars
• Cardboard/foam-board ramp
• Books/blocks to raise ramp
• Test surfaces: felt, sandpaper, aluminum foil, wax paper, fabric, shelf liner
• Tape
• Meterstick/tape measure
• Timer optional
Project Instructions
Build a LEGO car.
Create a ramp using cardboard and books.
Release the car from the same starting point each time — no pushing.
First test the car on the plain ramp.
Cover the ramp with a different material and test again.
Measure how far the LEGO car travels.
Repeat with several surfaces.
Compare the results and decide which surface created the most friction and which created the least friction.
Class Video
Please share with teacher