Hey there, future engineers! Are you ready to learn how to get a strike in bowling? Let’s dive into the world of bowling and discover how engineers solve problems, just like figuring out how to knock down all the pins in one go!
Engineers are great at solving problems, and they follow specific steps to see if their solutions work. In our bowling challenge, we want to find out how to get a strike, which means knocking down all the pins with just one ball. To do this, we need to think about what we can change, or “variables,” to make it happen.
First, we need to decide on one variable to change and keep everything else the same. This helps us see what effect the change has. In our bowling experiment, we chose to change the angle of the ball. We kept the weight of the ball and its speed the same by using the same ball and a ball ramp.
Now, it’s time to test our solution by bowling a few times. Here’s what happened:
Doing several trials, like we did in bowling, is an important part of the engineering process. Engineers figure out what needs to happen for a solution to be successful. They then test one variable at a time and see if it meets the criteria. If it does, the solution is a winner, just like our strike in bowling!
So, next time you’re at the bowling alley, remember these steps and see if you can get a strike using your engineering skills. Happy bowling!
Bowling Angle Experiment: Create a mini bowling alley at home using empty plastic bottles as pins and a small ball. Try rolling the ball from different angles and observe which angle helps you knock down the most pins. Record your results and see if you can find the best angle for a strike!
Design Your Own Bowling Ramp: Using cardboard, tape, and other household materials, design and build a simple ramp to roll your ball down. Experiment with changing the angle of your ramp to see how it affects the direction and speed of the ball. Discuss with a friend or family member why certain angles work better than others.
Question Time: Think about other sports or games where changing a variable can affect the outcome. Can you come up with examples where changing the angle, speed, or direction can make a difference? Share your thoughts with your class or family and discuss how these concepts relate to engineering.
