Exploring forces and motion with pinball machines

Last week we started our Pushes & Pull science unit! This is an exciting one because the kids get to make their own pinball machines, and use these to learn about forces (how to make an object move in different directions, how to use strong and gentle forces, etc). It's an early introduction to physics and so far has been a lot of fun.

I'm also participating in a group of teachers that is studying how students can use models to show and grow their understanding of scientific concepts, so we have been learning how to use models or diagrams to show what we know. Below are some pictures both of the pinball machine explorations, as well as models we drew of how we moved a crumpled up tissue.