Sarah Hefter
3/29/12
2nd Grade
Gummy Bear Launcher
Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework
Physical Sciences
Standard #4
• Measure the distance that objects move after being pushed or pulled with different
force.
• Manipulate various objects. Observe the different methods (forces) that you can
use to make objects move.
Objective:
• Students will determine how far gummy bears will travel using each of three
wedge launchers
• Students will learn how the slopes of the three different launchers affect the
distance the gummy bears travel
• Compare how the slopes affected the distance gummy bears traveled in this
activity and compare it to how slopes affected objects when they were rolling
during the force and motion unit (the concept of gravity should be introduced)
• Students will learn that an optimal launching angel is 45 degrees, as this slope
allows maximum horizontal and vertical distance.
Materials:
Gummy bears
Gummy bear launcher
Measuring tape
Wedges
Introductory Activity: (10 min)
1. Review the problem (we need to create a launcher that will launch gummy bears into
their cave six feet away)
2. Review the engineering process (we did the first step; we asked what is the problem.
Today we are focusing on the imagine step.)
Teaching Steps: (30 min)
1. Students will explore some existing solutions to our problem (3 wedge launchers)
“You will determine how far a Gummy Bear will travel using each of the three wedge
launchers.”
Teacher models Steps:
1. Select a wedge and fasten the launcher to it with Velcro
2. Using your finger bush craft stick back until it touches the launcher. (This is the
launch position.)
3. Put a Gummy Bear in the end of the stick. (To ensure that the Gummy Bear is
launched from the same point on the craft stick each time, one team member should pull
the stick back into launch position and another should place the bear at the end of the
stick. Besure to place the Gummy bear lightly, so it doesn’t stick.)
4 Release the stick to launch the Gummy Bear.
5. Measure the distance the Gummy Bear flew.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 at least 5 times and record the distance traveled each time in the table
provided.
7. In the space provided below, draw the path that your Gummy Bear took.
8. Try a different wedge and test again.
*Kids will get to work right away in their “Gummy Bear Launching Groups”
Assessment
Collect recording sheets from students
Wrap-up: (8-10min)
1. Gather back at the morning meeting area
Discussion
• What did you discover about the angle/arc of each launch of the Gummy Bear
from each different wedge?
• What will be the best wedge to use for your design?