Lesson Plan
Downhill Derby Design
Students will design, build, and test a miniature bobsled or ski course and vehicle using provided materials, applying basic engineering principles and understanding of forces like gravity and friction.
This lesson fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration by engaging students in a hands-on design challenge. It introduces fundamental concepts of physics in a fun, accessible way, making science tangible and exciting.
Audience
K-5 Multi-age Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Hands-on engineering challenge.
Materials
- Downhill Derby Design Slide Deck, - Downhill Derby Warm Up, - Downhill Derby Activity Guide, - Downhill Derby Design Worksheet, - Downhill Derby Cool Down, - Downhill Derby Answer Key, - Various craft materials (cardboard, paper, tape, glue, straws, pipe cleaners, string, small wheels/beads, aluminum foil, fabric scraps), - Small balls or marbles (for , bobsleds/skiers), - Rulers or measuring tapes, - Scissors, and - Books about simple machines or forces (optional)
Prep
Gather Materials & Review
20 minutes
Review the Downhill Derby Design Lesson Plan, Downhill Derby Slide Deck, Downhill Derby Warm Up, Downhill Derby Activity Guide, Downhill Derby Design Worksheet, Downhill Derby Cool Down, and Downhill Derby Answer Key.
Gather all necessary craft materials: cardboard scraps, various types of paper, tape, glue, straws, pipe cleaners, string, small wheels or beads, aluminum foil, and fabric scraps. You will also need small balls or marbles to represent bobsleds/skiers, rulers, and scissors for each group.
Consider having a few books about simple machines, forces, or winter sports available for inspiration (optional).
Step 1
Warm-Up: Ready, Set, Slide!
5 minutes
Begin with the Downhill Derby Warm Up activity. Ask students to think about things that slide or roll and what makes them go fast or slow. Discuss their ideas as a class, encouraging participation from all age groups.
Step 2
Introduction: The Challenge Awaits
10 minutes
Use the Downhill Derby Design Slide Deck to introduce the engineering challenge. Explain that students will work in teams to design and build a miniature bobsled or ski course and a vehicle that can travel down it effectively.
Highlight the concepts of gravity (what pulls things down) and friction (what slows things down). Show examples of bobsleds or skiers in action (from the slide deck).
Step 3
Design & Build: Get Crafty!
20 minutes
Distribute the Downhill Derby Activity Guide and Downhill Derby Design Worksheet to each small group. Have students brainstorm and sketch their designs for both the course and the vehicle.
Provide the craft materials and allow students to begin building. Circulate to offer guidance, ask probing questions (e.g., 'What do you think will make your bobsled go faster?'), and ensure all students are contributing. Remind them to think about how gravity and friction will affect their designs.
Step 4
Test & Reflect: The Grand Finale
5 minutes
Once models are built (or as time allows), have groups test their creations. Provide a designated testing area (e.g., a ramp made from a piece of cardboard). Encourage them to observe what works well and what could be improved.
Facilitate a brief class discussion where groups share their designs, successes, and challenges. Ask students to complete the reflection questions on the Downhill Derby Design Worksheet.
Step 5
Cool-Down: What Did We Learn?
5 minutes
Conclude the lesson with the Downhill Derby Cool Down activity. Have students summarize one new thing they learned or one interesting observation they made during the challenge.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Downhill Derby Design!
Ready, Set, BUILD!
Today, we're becoming engineers to design awesome downhill courses and vehicles!
Welcome students and introduce the exciting engineering challenge ahead. Emphasize that we'll be thinking like engineers today!
The Engineering Challenge
Can you design a speedy bobsled or a super skier?
- Goal: Build a course and a vehicle that slides down it.
- Teamwork: Work together to brainstorm and create.
- Materials: Use the supplies provided to bring your ideas to life!
Explain the core challenge: design a course and a vehicle that can travel down it. Mention either bobsleds or skiers, depending on what materials you have. Encourage creativity and teamwork.
What Makes It Go? Gravity!
Gravity: The invisible pull!
- Gravity pulls everything down towards the Earth.
- It's why things fall!
- It helps our bobsleds and skiers go downhill.
Introduce gravity in simple terms. Ask students what makes things fall down or roll downhill. Use a simple example like dropping a ball.
What Slows It Down? Friction!
Friction: The rubbing force!
- Friction happens when two surfaces rub together.
- It slows things down.
- Think about rubbing your hands together – that's friction!
- How can we make our vehicles have less friction to go faster?
Introduce friction. Ask students why things eventually stop sliding or rolling. Show examples of rough vs. smooth surfaces. Explain that we want to manage friction for speed.
Inspiration: Bobsleds & Skiers
Look at these amazing athletes!
- How do bobsleds glide so fast?
- What helps skiers zoom down the mountain?
- Think about their shapes and the materials they use.
Show images or brief videos (if you have them) of bobsleds or skiers in action to inspire students. Point out how their designs are optimized for speed.
Your Mission: Design & Build!
- Brainstorm: Talk with your team. What will your course look like? What about your vehicle?
- Sketch: Draw your ideas on the Downhill Derby Design Worksheet.
- Build: Use the materials to construct your course and vehicle.
- Test: Try it out! Does it go fast? Does it stay on the track?
- Improve: What changes can you make to make it even better?
Explain the steps: brainstorm, sketch, build, test. Remind them to think about gravity and friction while they design.
Time to Test!
The moment of truth!
- Find a ramp or a sloped surface.
- Send your bobsled/skier down!
- Observe: What happened? Was it fast? Did it go straight?
- Discuss: What worked? What didn't? How can you make it better?
Prepare students for testing. Emphasize observation and problem-solving during this phase. Encourage them to be ready to share their findings.
Engineers in Action!
You've worked like real engineers today!
- You designed, built, and tested.
- You thought about forces like gravity and friction.
- What was the most challenging part?
- What was your favorite part?
Wrap up by having students reflect on their learning and the engineering process. This leads into the Cool Down activity.
Warm Up
Downhill Derby Warm-Up
Think about things that go downhill!
What makes them go fast? What makes them go slow?
Draw or write your ideas below:
Cool Down
Downhill Derby Cool-Down
What is one new thing you learned or one interesting observation you made today during our Downhill Derby challenge?
Activity
Downhill Derby Challenge: Your Engineering Mission!
The Challenge:
Your team will become engineers! Your mission is to design and build a miniature bobsled or ski course AND a vehicle that can travel down it.
Think like an engineer:
- How can you make your vehicle go fast?
- How can you make sure it stays on the course?
- What materials will work best?
Materials You Can Use:
- Cardboard (for your course or vehicle body)
- Paper (for decorations, flags, or even parts of your vehicle)
- Tape and Glue (to put things together)
- Straws and Pipe Cleaners (for axles, runners, or steering)
- String (to pull your bobsled to the start, or for creative uses)
- Small wheels or beads (if making a wheeled bobsled)
- Aluminum foil (for smooth surfaces or vehicle bodies)
- Fabric scraps (for texture or friction experiments)
- Small balls or marbles (these will be your "riders" for the bobsleds/skiers)
- Scissors
Your Engineering Steps:
Step 1: Brainstorm & Design (5 minutes)
- Talk with your team: What kind of course will you build? A steep ramp? One with turns? What will your bobsled or skier look like?
- Think about gravity (how to make it go downhill) and friction (how to make it go smoothly and fast).
- Use your Downhill Derby Design Worksheet to sketch your ideas.
Step 2: Build Your Creation (15 minutes)
- Work together to construct your course and vehicle using the materials.
- Remember your design! Try to make your vehicle strong and your course stable.
Step 3: Test & Improve (10 minutes)
- Find a testing area (your teacher will show you).
- Carefully place your vehicle at the top of your course and let it go!
- Watch closely! What happened? Did it go fast? Did it stay on the course? Did it crash?
- Talk with your team: What worked well? What could be better? Make changes to improve your design!
Step 4: Share Your Design (5 minutes)
- Be ready to show your course and vehicle to the class.
- Explain what you built, what you learned, and any challenges you faced.
Worksheet
Downhill Derby Design Worksheet
Team Members:
Part 1: Design Your Course & Vehicle
My Course Design:
Draw a sketch of your bobsled or ski course. Think about how steep it will be, if it has turns, and what materials you'll use.
My Vehicle Design:
Draw a sketch of your bobsled or skier. What shape will it be? What materials will make it fast?
Part 2: Test & Reflect
Our First Test:
What happened when you tested your design for the first time? What did you observe?
Improvements We Made:
What changes did your team make to your course or vehicle to make it better or faster?
What We Learned:
What was one thing you learned about making things go fast or slow down the course?
Answer Key
Downhill Derby Challenge: Answer Key & Discussion Points
This answer key provides guidance for assessing student work and facilitating discussions, as many responses will be open-ended and design-based.
Warm-Up: Ready, Set, Slide!
Expected Responses:
- Go Fast: Smooth surfaces, steep slopes, wheels, pointy/aerodynamic shapes, lightweight materials.
- Go Slow: Rough surfaces, flat slopes, sticky materials, heavy materials, wide/blunt shapes.
- Discussion Points: Connect student ideas to the concepts of gravity (steepness) and friction (surface smoothness).
Part 1: Design Your Course & Vehicle (Worksheet Review)
Assessment Guidance:
- Look for clear effort in sketching and labeling.
- Do the designs show some thought about how the vehicle will move down the course?
- Are students considering the materials they plan to use and why?
- Key Consideration: Even simple drawings from younger students are valuable if they reflect initial ideas.
Discussion Points (during brainstorming/building):
- Course: What makes a ramp steep? How do turns affect speed? What if your course has bumps?
- Vehicle: What shape is best for going fast? How can you reduce rubbing (friction) on the bottom? What kind of runners or wheels would work?
Part 2: Test & Reflect (Worksheet Review)
Our First Test:
Assessment Guidance:
- Students should be able to describe what happened, even if it wasn't successful.
- Look for observations related to speed, direction, stability, and whether the vehicle stayed on the course.
- Expected Responses: Descriptions of the vehicle moving, stopping, falling off the track, going fast, going slow, etc.
Improvements We Made:
Assessment Guidance:
- Students should be able to articulate at least one change they made.
- Look for evidence of problem-solving based on their observations (e.g.,