Materials
Clear tubes (light covers, can be purchased in a home improvement center) cardboard masking tape empty margarine tub large marbles
Instructions
1. Cut tubes into a variety of lengths as well as in half lengthwise. Tape these sections to a board or piece of sturdy cardboard in configurations that create a raceway for the marbles.
2. Attach a margarine tub at the bottom to catch marbles.
3. Let the children experiment with placement of the tubes.
4. Experiment with other materials that roll, such as pompoms, small balls, miniature cars, and so on. Why do these roll faster or slower? Ask them to predict which will roll faster.
5. Remove the margarine tub and predict how far the marbles will roll. Measure outcomes.