On Tuesday, the girls returned to the Discovery Science and Technology Centre for the next chapter of their exploration into the world of forces. The day began by revisiting concepts from their previous marble run activity, such as gravity, friction, and motion. These ideas provided a solid foundation for what was to come, reinforcing their understanding of how forces interact in different scenarios. Then, they delved deeper into how the shape of an object influences how forces act upon it, expanding on ideas from their car workshop.
The real turning point came when Alissa, the facilitator, introduced the concept of energy. The girls learned to distinguish between potential energy (gravitational, mechanical, and chemical) and kinetic energy, or the energy of movement. This led to an exciting and lively discussion on simple machines, such as scissors and wheelbarrows. They examined key components like fulcrums, effort, and motion, which helped them understand how machines make work easier by using different forces.
Putting their newfound knowledge to the test, the girls designed and tested their own catapults. They experimented with variables like the position and height of the fulcrum, the stability of the structure, and the aerodynamics of the projectiles. As they fine-tuned their designs through trial and error, the girls gained hands-on experience with the principles they had discussed.
The grand finale came when Alissa unveiled a larger marshmallow launcher filled with smoke to demonstrate how air moves inside. The girls were captivated as they watched the smoke swirl into a doughnut shape, creating a mesmerizing smoke ring. It was a magical moment when the forces they had studied came to life in front of them, ending the session with a perfect blend of science and fun.
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