Marble Maze Project 4th Grade (Page 2 of 3) in pdf

Directions

Your goal is to create a marble maze to demonstrate how speed, slope, friction, and

distance affect a marble traveling through a maze of cardboard tubes.

Before you begin, use graph paper to sketch a couple of possible designs for your marble

maze. This is the first step in building a successful maze.

Your drawing(s) should include:

1. A title for your maze.

2. A complete sentence including the goals your project will demonstrate.

3. Written details about your design along with measurements and descriptions of

your sketch.

4. Consider the components you would like to include in your maze and color code

each component. Include a key which explains your coding. (Examples include

vertical drops, zigzags, pinwheels, and various slopes.)

5. Your design of choice must receive teacher approval before you begin

construction of your maze.

Maze Requirements:

1. Your maze must be created on one piece of cardboard backing. (The size of the

backing must be approved by your teacher. A good rule of thumb is that your

backing should not be larger than your desktop.)

2. Cardboard tubes must be attached to cardboard plates (various sizes) which in

turn will be tacked to the cardboard backing for testing. This allows you to

arrange your maze before actually attaching it to the backing using masking or

duct tape. (after testing)

3. Each maze must contain at least five plates.

4. The marble must enter the maze in the top left or top right corner and exit at the

opposite corner.

5. Your first plate and last plate must extend at least 4” beyond the backing. This

will allow you to attach your marble maze to another student’s maze. (Our goal is

to attach a minimum of four mazes together creating one large maze.)

6. Your maze must include one 9cm tube and one 5” tube.

7. At least one tube must demonstrate the effects of friction on the marble. The item

you choose to create friction is up to you.

8. The marble must stop at the end of the maze.

Marble Maze Project 4th Grade Page 2