Third Graders Engineer Gravity Cars and Mars Rovers
Third-grade students explored the concepts of forces, motion and energy through an exciting hands-on engineering challenge. Using K’NEX building pieces, they designed and built gravity-powered cars, tested their initial models, make improvements and analyzed their results. This project strengthened their measuring, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. You can click on this link to see students, building, testing and measuring their results.
After mastering the principles of wheels and axles, students took on an even greater challenge—designing and building Mars Rovers powered by K’NEX motors. To test the durability and functionality of their designs, they experimented on various terrains, including tile, concrete, carpet, grass, mulch, small rocks, large rocks and bricks.
Through this engaging project, students gained a deeper understanding of engineering, design iteration and real-world problem-solving—just like NASA engineers working on space exploration! Students documented their learning on Seesaw. You can click on this link to see students building and testing their rovers.
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Founded upon the independent Episcopal school tradition, Saint Edward’s School is a co-educational, pre-kindergarten through grade 12, college preparatory school committed to educational excellence. Saint Edward’s is located in Vero Beach and is a not-for-profit, 501 (C)(3). Saint Edward’s School does not discriminate on the basis of age, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, physical disability, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational programs, hiring policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
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