Physics:Roller Coaster World

11-13 yrs old

Science

This Minecraft world will help to introduce or reinforce concepts in physics such as gravity, friction and Newton's 2nd law of motion.

Submitted By: Dean Garza

December 8, 2018

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Skills

Collaboration
Communication
Critical Thinking

Supporting Files

Roller Coaster World

Minecraft mcworld file.

Learning Objectives

To identify and explain how forces are present in the Minecraft world
To identify and explain Newton's 2nd law of motion using examples from Minecraft

Guiding Ideas

Teachers can use previous book or project work to solicit what is known about the objectives (i.e. vocabulary, concepts etc.). If this is an introduction then writing the following questions using 'fill in the blank' to create discussion on known and unknown concepts:

What are forces?
Are forces present in Minecraft worlds? Examples
How does gravity affect roller coasters?
How does friction affect roller coasters?
What is the difference between gravity and friction?
Can you apply Newton's 2nd law of motion to today's Minecraft world? Why or why not?

Student Activities

Teachers may decide to start this activity as an independent task or in groups depending on their methods, pupil numbers and/or device availability.

Students will use the guiding questions to create observations using the roller coaster in the provided world.
Students will identify examples to support their answers and use the camera and portfolios to support them.
Teachers may decide and presentations or allow adding to the supplied world or creation of new world a an extension.

Performance Expectations

Students can identify forces (gravity and friction) and give examples using the Mineraftworld provided.
Students can relate Newton's 2nd law of motion to the roller coaster world and explain why it is or is not an accurate example of it.