Today marked the beginning of our force and motion unit. We began by constructing mini-golf holes made of classroom supplies and furniture. Using a yardstick, participants exerted force to propel the ball through a tunnel and into the hole. The golfer had the opportunity to experiment with varying levels of force—either strong or gentle—to set the ball in motion. Additionally, they tried striking the ball in various directions. The ball traveled in the direction in which the force was applied. With practice, students improved their ability to direct the ball accurately and apply the appropriate amount of force for the desired outcome.
This activity helped students understand force by allowing them to observe how different magnitudes and directions of force affected the ball’s movement, providing a hands-on experience with the principles of force and motion.