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A Magnetic Overlay for the Skating Rink

Use skating-rink observations and model test results to define a magnetic design problem with goals and limits.

Grade 3ScienceInteractive · Printable

Aligned to3-PS2-4

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What’s included

Single worksheet
Auto-graded online
1 NGSS standard
Printable answer key
14 questions
Classroom-ready

Details

Format: Interactive · Printable
Grade: Grade 3
Subject: Science
Question types: Fill in the blank, Multiple choice, Matching, Circle the answer, Sorting, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

Students identify a simple problem that magnetic attraction could help solve.
Students separate design goals from limits and use test evidence to define a problem.
Students support a design choice with observations about magnetic materials and model tests.

How to use

Read the rink model description together, then have students use the observations and test results as evidence for each answer.

Curriculum

NGSS standard covered

3-PS2-4

Define a simple design problem that magnets can solve.

Preview

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A Magnetic Overlay for the Skating Rink

Use observations to define a design problem that a magnet can solve.

Observe the rink model

Read the description. Use the observations and model tests to answer the questions.

The practice-map overlay

At North Loop Skating Rink, Coach Priya uses a steel planning board to show a practice route. She places a clear plastic overlay on top of the board. The overlay shows where skaters should glide, turn, and stop. Priya needs to move the overlay when the route changes. Tape left sticky marks, and a plastic clip slid off during a fan test. She wants to hold the overlay in place without making holes in it.

Mateo tested materials near a small magnet. The magnet pulled toward a steel washer and a steel paper clip. It did not pull toward an aluminum tab, a wooden cube, or a plastic disk. This observation does not tell the team whether a holder will work well on the planning board, so the students made a model.

The model used a painted steel board, a plastic overlay, and a fan set at the same speed. Clip A used one magnet. It held the overlay during 5 of 6 fan trials, and the overlay could be removed in 4 seconds. Clip B used two magnets. It held during 6 of 6 trials, but removal took 8 seconds. A tape strip held during 3 of 6 trials and took 3 seconds to remove. The team set a goal of holding the overlay during at least 5 of 6 trials and removing it in 6 seconds or less. One design rule was to use no more than one magnet and make no holes in the overlay.

Which statement best defines the design problem at the skating rink?

A. Find out whether plastic is heavier than steel near the planning board.
B. Make the fan blow harder so the route overlay moves across the board.
C. Design a holder that keeps the overlay on the board and is easy to remove.
D. Replace the painted steel board with a wooden board for each new route.

Select the TWO observations that give evidence a magnet could help hold the overlay.

The magnet pulled toward a steel washer.The overlay is made from clear plastic.The magnet pulled toward a steel paper clip.Tape took 3 seconds to remove.

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