Which Tag Fits the Field?

Team Tags That Can Move

At a flag football field, teams share a gear rack. Large plastic tags show where each team should put its gear. The teams change places during practice, so the tags must move too. Tags left leaning against the rack fall over in gusts of wind. The rack has a smooth steel rail with no holes.

Imani's class tries a magnet near three material samples. The magnet pulls on the steel sample. It does not pull on the plastic or aluminum samples. The class plans to attach covered magnets to the backs of the plastic tags. Adults prepare the tags and keep every magnet sealed inside a large plastic cover.

The field staff sets four rules. Each tag must stay on the rail in all six wind trials. It must lift off with one hand in all six removal trials. Each complete tag must cost no more than 50 cents. The design must not make holes in the rack.

The class compares three designs: one narrow covered magnet, one wide covered magnet, and two wide covered magnets. All tags are the same size. For each wind trial, students use the same fan setting, distance, and time. The same student tries each tag in the removal trials. The class records how often each design passes.