Ramps and Pathways

We're getting a "new slant" on things...

by making

creative pathways with inclined Ramps!

Using different sizes and weight of marbles, we delight in testing various factors...

such as angle of incline,

size and weight of marbles,

lengths of ramps,

and zig-zagging ramps for marbles to descend and ascend!

Our creativity abounds as we make complex structures for marbles to roll through,

as we race with the marbles to arrive at the end of the tunnel.

Which marble will be faster... the larger one, above, or the smaller, below? Shall we get out a stopwatch and time them?

Little do we consciously realize that we are learning about math, simple machines and physics... we just find that experimenting with ramps and marbles is amazingly fun, creative and satisfying!

It's time for a spring round-up down on the farm...

more creative building with magneatos,

while boys, bears and magnatiles build a rainbow world at the light table.

May your ramps and pathways in life be as delightful as ours!

Judith

P.S. To make your own ramps for use at home, you'll need:

1 1/2 - 1 3/4 inch cove molding cut into 2, 3 and 4 foot lengths. Sand the edges.

I bought the various sized marbles at Top Ten Toys in Seattle.