Unit Plan 6 (PreK Science): Ramps Exploration
PreK science unit where children test ramp height, surfaces, and gentle vs. strong pushes to compare motion speed and distance through hands-on investigation.
Focus: Test different ramp heights and surfaces to notice how motion changes (faster/slower, farther/shorter) and describe what happens when a push or pull is stronger or gentler.
Grade Level: PreK
Subject Area: Science (Physical Science • Inquiry/Play-Based Investigation)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–45 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This week, children become ramp scientists! They explore how a ramp can help objects roll and slide, and they notice patterns: a taller ramp often makes things go faster or farther, and a bumpy or soft surface can slow things down. Children practice making predictions, testing, and talking about what they observe using simple science language like faster/slower, farther/shorter, and same/different.
Essential Questions
- How does a ramp help things move?
- What happens when a ramp is higher or lower?
- How do different surfaces (smooth, rough, soft) change motion?
- How can we test the same way so we can compare what happened?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Use ramps to explore how objects roll or slide and describe what they notice.
- Compare what happens when ramps are higher vs. lower (speed and/or distance).
- Compare what happens on different surfaces (smooth vs. rough/soft) and describe differences.
- Make a simple prediction (“I think it will go farther on the tall ramp.”) and test it.
- Share a simple explanation using observations (e.g., “It went farther because the ramp was tall.”).
Standards Alignment — PreK (NGSS-based custom)
- PK-PS2-2 — Notice that stronger pushes or pulls change motion.
- Example: Compare how far a toy car goes with a gentle push vs. a strong push, or how a taller ramp changes how fast it moves.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can use a ramp to make something move.
- I can tell if something went faster/slower or farther/shorter.
- I can try a high ramp and a low ramp and say what changed.
- I can test a smooth and a rough surface and say what I notice.
- I can make a prediction and then check it by testing.