Text Box: Subject(s): Physics   Grade/Level: 7-9   Time Required: 1 class period prior to visit for preparation 1 hour at Valley Worlds of Fun for this activity 1 hour in the resource room or your classroom for completion of worksheet and discussion   WV State Standards: SC.8.1.1 realize that scientists formulate and test their explanations of nature using observation, experiments and theoretical models. SC.8.2.1 cooperate and collaborate to ask questions, find answers, solve problems, conduct investigations to further an appreciation of scientific discovery. SC.8.2.2 formulate conclusions through close observations, logical reasoning, objectivity, perseverance and integrity in data collection. SC.8.2.3 apply skepticism, careful methods, logical reasoning and creativity in investigating the observable universe. SC.8.2.4 use a variety of materials and scientific instruments to conduct explorations, investigations and experiments of the natural world (e.g., barometer, anemometer, microscope, computer). SC.8.2.5 demonstrate safe techniques for handling, manipulating and caring for science materials, equipment, natural specimens and living organisms. SC.8.2.6 utilize experimentation to demonstrate scientific processes and thinking skills (e.g., formulating questions, predicting, forming hypotheses, quantifying, identifying dependent and independent variables). SC.8.2.7 construct and use charts, graphs and tables to organize, display, interpret, analyze and explain data. SC.8.2.8 use appropriate technology solutions to gather, graph and interpret data and analyze information. SC.8.2.9 use inferential reasoning to make logical conclusions from collected data. SC.8.4.22 graph and interpret the relationships (e.g., distance versus time, speed versus time, acceleration versus time). SC.8.4.23 describe Newton’s Laws of Motion; SC.8.4.24 illustrate quantitatively mechanical advantage of simple machines.   Objective(s): Students will use the different stands to determine how starting height affect the speed of a rolling bowling ball.   Procedure:   Pre-trip activity 1. Use a cardboard tube taped to a book or block to build a marble chute 2 cm high. 2. Measure and mark a distance of 100 cm from the bottom of the chute. 3. Place a book or another object at the 100 cm mark to stop the marble. 4. When the timer says “Go” send the marble from the top of the chute.  Time how many seconds it takes the marble to cover 100 cm. 5. Run three trails with the 2 cm chute height. 6. Repeat the experiment at chute height of 4 cm and 8 cm. 7. Discuss observations Valley Worlds of Fun Activity   1. Students will use the Rolling Along Worksheet to record the following information. 2. Measure and record the height of the small bowling ball ramp 3. When the timer says “Go” send the bowling ball from the ramp height of 50cm but be sure not to push the ball.  Time how many seconds it takes the ball to hit the pins.  If you don’t hit the pins, reset the pins and re-aim the ramp. 4. Run three trails with the 50 cm height. 5. Repeat the experiment with the medium and the high ramps. Discussion:  When the students have competed the experiment, have them study all the data collected and answer the following questions.   1. How does height affect speed? 2. How does this activity’s results compare to the pre-trip activity’s results. Instructional Materials: · Pre-trip activity - Cardboard tube, books or blocks, marble, masking tape, meter stick, stopwatch · Valley Worlds of Fun activity - bowling ball, ramps, meter stick, stopwatch, data table and graph sheet   Differentiated Instruction: · How would changing the bowling balls path from and inclined plane to a straight drop affect the results? · How would changing the weight of the bowling ball affect the results?   Assessment/Evaluation: Completion of the Rolling Along Worksheet