Activity

Jumping stick

Summary
Make a simple toy that jumps, using the elastic potential energy of an elastic band.
Science content
Physics: Motion and Forces, Newton’s Laws, Gravity (K, 2, 6)
Physics: Energy forms, Conservation of Energy (1, 3, 4, 5)
Science competencies (+ questioning + manipulation + others that are in every activity)
Questioning/predicting: predicting (1 up), hypothesizing (7)
Planning/conducting: fair testing and controlling variables (5 up)
Processing/analyzing: classifying data, finding patterns (1 up)
Processing/analyzing: comparing observations with predictions (1 up)
Processing/analyzing: considering alternative explanations (5 up)
Evaluating: inferring (3 up)
Evaluating: evaluating fair testing (3 up), sources of error/bias (5 up) and data quality (7)
materials
materials ready for a table group of students
ready to fire!
jumping stick with added nose
the chain of forces
energy transformations
energy transformations
student height data for modified jumping sticks
jumping stick game: hit the target
jumping stick game: get it in a cup
jumping stick game: knock over the tower
Lessons activity is in
Energy forms and transformation
Forces: chains of forces and combining forces
Materials
  • half a sturdy bamboo BarBQ skewer, or craft dowels about 15cm long - need to fit easily into the straw
  • an elastic band, of a length that can stretch quite tightly to the bottom of the skewer
  • piece of straw, about 2cm long, that can slide over the skewer (sturdy paper straws work fine)
  • two pieces of duct tape, no wider than the straw is long
Procedure

This activity is from the Children's Museum of Houston: https://www.cmhouston.org/classroom-curriculum/stretch-your-potential-2

Fold the elastic band flat.
Tape one end of the flattened elastic band to the end of the skewer, making the tape really tight around the skewer, so that the elastic band is held on firmly.
Slide the straw onto the other end of the skewer.
Lay the free end of the flattened elastic band over the straw and tape tightly to secure the elastic band to the straw, but without taping the straw to the skewer.

Hold the jumper upright on the desk and pull the straw down to the desk so that the elastic band is stretched.
Make sure your head is back (not over the jumping stick).
Let go of the device in one go, by separating your fingers wide quickly.
It will jump in the air by a metre or more.

Students need to be instructed on using it safely - do not jump it towards anyone.

For energy transformation discussion:
Ask students to think about the chain of energy transfer that happens as the toy is used.
Chemical energy - from our hands as they pull down on the toy
Motion energy - as the toy is pulled down
Elastic energy - as the elastic band is stretched
Sound energy as the device is released and the straw hits the top of the stick
Motion energy - as the elastic band pushes the toy upwards
Gravitational energy - as the toy is up in the air
Motion energy - as the toy falls back down

For chains of forces discussion:
Draw on the board the toy with step-by-step forces.
Our fingers hold the toy (with the force of friction) - a push
We push the toy down on the desk with a downwards force
The elastic band stretches - a pull - as we push down
When we let go the elastic band pulls
The straw moves upwards and pushes against the top of the toy
This pushes the whole toy into the air
Gravity eventually pulls the toy back down

Grades taught
Gr K
Gr 1
Gr 2
Gr 3
Gr 4
Gr 5
Gr 6
Gr 7