4. Field Activity: Digital Fabrication for kids¶
This week I worked on teaching Newtons Laws to my 7th grade physics class.
Example sub-heading¶
I designed my 3D-printed model to bring Newton’s First and Second Laws of Motion to life in a hands-on way for my students. It has three main sections:
Inclined Plane: I wanted students to see Newton’s Second Law in action, so they start by rolling a metal ball or marble down a slope. As gravity pulls the ball downward, it accelerates, showing them how force and mass impact motion.
Smooth Flat Plane: After the inclined plane, I included a smooth flat surface so that, once the ball reaches it, it continues moving at a constant speed. This demonstrates Newton’s First Law, or the Law of Inertia, helping students see that, without other forces, the ball would just keep going.
High-Friction Plane: Lastly, I added a high-friction surface, where the ball gradually slows and stops. Here, students see how friction disrupts inertia, acting as an external force that decelerates the ball until it stops.
With this 3D-printed setup, I can give students a concrete, visual way to understand these foundational principles. They get to interact directly with the ball, observing inertia, acceleration, and friction in real-time, which makes these abstract concepts much more engaging and memorable for them.
Example links¶
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