LIKE A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE! WOAH! WOAH! WOAH! WOAH!
For my second project, I decided to challenge the kids a bit more with a straw rollercoaster. This project was very hands-on and a ton of fun!
Time: 1 hour to 1.5 hours
Materials
cardboard boxes
colorful straws (lots and lots of straws!!!)
masking tape
ping pong balls
mini bowl
Directions
1. To create the first track tape two tall straws (uncut) next to each other at the corner of the cardboard box. Make sure the distance in between them is a little smaller than the diameter of the ping pong ball. These will serve as the start point posts.
2. Then take another two straws. These will serve as a track. Tape one to the top of each straw post.
3. Depending on how tall you want your first track to be, take two more straws and cut them to the same desired height. These will serve as the end posts of the first portion.
4. Continue instructions 1-3, but change the direction and starting height of the front posts. Connect each "track" so that the rollercoaster has twists and turns.
5. Once you have completed your rollercoaster, either create a tiny bowl out of straws or use a small bowl to catch your ping pong ball.
Lessons Learned
Out of all of my projects, this was definitely the most tricky one. I would recommend taking extra time to demo how to create the first track. You want the kids to be able to work with little assistance, so making sure they truly comprehend that task is key! Additionally, I recommend this project for slightly older youth. At the Boys' and Girls' Club, I did this project with 10 and 11-year-olds, and that slight age bump made a huge difference. If you are working with even older (responsible) teens, I would recommend swapping the masking tape for a hot glue gun because this makes the final product look at lot cleaner.
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