Marble Run Engineering Fun

Image by freestocks-photos from Pixabay

A fun engineering activity for preschoolers based on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) could be “Building a Marble Run.” This activity promotes problem-solving, creativity, and fine motor skills. Here’s how you can organize it:

Materials needed:

  1. Cardboard tubes (toilet paper or paper towel rolls)
  2. Cardboard sheets or sturdy cardboard boxes
  3. Scissors
  4. Tape
  5. Small marbles or balls

Steps:

  1. Introduction:
  • Gather the children and explain that they will be engineers for the day, designing and building their own marble runs.
  • Talk about the importance of planning and problem-solving in engineering.
  • Encourage them to use their imaginations and think about how they can create a track that allows the marble to roll from the top to the bottom.
  1. Design and Planning:
  • Provide the children with cardboard tubes, cardboard sheets, and scissors.
  • Let them explore the materials and discuss possible designs.
  • Encourage them to draw their designs on the cardboard sheets or discuss their ideas with their peers.
  1. Building the Marble Run:
  • Assist the children in cutting the cardboard tubes into different lengths and shapes.
  • Show them how to attach the tubes to the cardboard sheets using tape, creating slopes, curves, and obstacles for the marbles.
  • Let the children experiment with different configurations and help them secure the tubes firmly to the cardboard.
  1. Testing and Adjusting:
    • Find a flat surface where the children can test their marble runs.
    • Place a marble at the top of the track and watch it roll down.
    • Observe how the marbles move through the different sections of the track.
    • Encourage the children to make adjustments to their designs if necessary to improve the marble’s movement.
  2. Reflecting and Extending the Activity:
    • After testing their marble runs, gather the children to reflect on their designs and discuss what worked well and what could be improved.
    • Encourage them to share their experiences and observations with the group.
    • You can extend the activity by introducing new challenges, such as adding a tunnel or a bell for the marble to go through.

Remember to focus on the process rather than the final outcome. Encourage creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving throughout the activity. The EYLF principles of Being, Belonging, and Becoming should be incorporated, emphasizing the children’s active engagement, social interaction, and developing skills as they explore the world of engineering.