After noticing children were building ramps for the trucks in the block center, I decided to set up this display in the science center to encourage more explorations with ramps.
The ramp is set up on the top of the science shelf with a long block propped up on a couple of unit blocks. I added a few items that children could test to see whether they would roll or not roll. I didn’t tell them ahead of time, I let them predict and experiment and come to their own conclusions.
I used several “found” items for children to experiment with:
- Mini syrup bottle (from Cracker Barrel)
- Small cylinder block
- Small toy car
- Plastic Easter egg
- Wooden cube
- Wooden wheel
- Roll of tape
- Wooden triangle (from a set of lacing shapes)
- Round craft pom pom
Extend the Activity
You can add different materials onto the boards, such as bubble wrap, wax paper, or sandpaper for the children to test which materials help or prevent the objects from rolling down.
