For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction , Sir Isaac Newton’s third law of motion formalized in his 1687 tome Philosophi’ Naturalis Principia Mathematica ( Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy ), has intrigued scientists and curious students ever since — and was the inspiration for a recent Mount Madonna middle school physics project. Under the guidance of science teacher Nicole Culbertson, the eighth grade students created vehicles that demonstrated this Newtonian principle.Working in small groups, with a partner or individually, and using material of their choice, students designed a vehicle that could travel through the air, across the land or by water. To meet the project requirements, the vehicle had to be able to travel forward at least one and half meters without deviating from its intended course by more than a meter. It also needed an ‘engine source’ to propel and initiate its motion (student energy and gravity were not allowed); most students chose to use balloons, rubber bands and chemical reactions as a basis for their engine.
It is important for students to have hands-on projects such as the ‘Newton Vehicles’ because it brings science to life,’ said Culbertson. ‘When students are allowed open-ended inquiries, it allows them to be creative and think out of the box. They get to invent, create, test and actually apply the physics concepts they are learning in class.’
Working in a team, Ceci Rothman-Salado, Haley Kerr and Paola Jacobs designed a spaceship-like vehicle using a balloon and straw, cardboard, Popsicle sticks and clear packaging tape.
‘Our design relies on air to create a reaction force that pushes the vehicle forward,’ Kerr explained during their group presentation.
Classmates Vianne Storrs and JT Curland built a ‘Putt-Putt Boat,’ with a hull fashioned from half of a paper milk carton, a straw and adhesive. The vessel’s boiler was made from a piece of flattened aluminum can. To power it, a tea light candle stuffed with pieces of a bamboo skewer was placed beneath the boiler and lit. The boiler’s water created the high-energy steam needed to propel it through the school’s outdoor fountain.
Ksenia Medvedeva and Lily Hernandez created a car-like vehicle with a body made of Legos, fishing line, pieces of balloon stretched over CDs for wheels (to add friction and make it go further and faster) and a mousetrap for the lever.
As they took turns presenting to their classmates, students described development of their models, the challenges they encountered, and how these failures helped them to innovate and come up with modifications that made their vehicles work better.
‘I’d say we had many fails along the way,’ shared Curland. ‘We made 10 earlier versions of our boat before settling on this one. Part of our challenge was to come up with an air-tight seal to make our boiler function work.’
‘It is important for students to have a few projects that have minimal guidelines so that they are not only allowed to be creative and invent something new, but they usually find out how difficult it is to actually create something, ‘ Culbertson acknowledged. ‘I want my students to understand that trials and tribulations of inventions and engineering is a very real process. That frustration, reevaluating, and trying over and over again are all very important parts of the science, engineering and invention process. Not giving up and having to look at something with a new perspective is a very important part of the process, and sometimes it’s the most important part!’
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Nestled among the redwoods on 355 acres, Mount Madonna School (MMS) is a community of learners dedicated to creative, intellectual, and ethical growth. MMS supports its students in becoming caring, self-aware, discerning and articulate individuals; and believe a fulfilling life includes personal accomplishments, meaningful relationships and service to society. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville.