Print a data-recording sheet.

Everyone doing the challenge will enter data into a form and send it to the Marble Roll database. So, students need to keep accurate records.

Share ramp designs, make predictions, and roll marbles.

Have students write all of the information on the data-recording sheet, except for the distance rolled. Then have each student or group explain the features of their ramp design to the class, show that the ramp meets all of the design criteria, and make a prediction about how far their marble will roll.

Before going outside, be sure students have everything they need, including a meter stick or measuring tape to measure distances. Also let them know the order in which the marbles will be rolled and appoint students to serve as starters, markers, and measurers.

As students roll their marbles, have them create a graph of the data by placing their ramp on the rolling surface at the distance their marble rolled. Then have them use the graph to verify the predictions they made before collecting data. Ask students to try to explain differences between their predictions and the actual data.