Video trouble?

DISCUSS: Tug of War

Can you think of any way for your team to win? Is there something you could do to make it harder for the adults’ team to pull?

Video trouble?

DISCUSS:

Is there some way to stop the adults from being able to push against the ground?

With any ideas you come up with, explain why you think that idea might work.

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Practice: Think about each action below. For each one, ask yourself: Is it a push or a pull? (Answers on next slide.)

squeeze
pinch
tug
smack
drag
lift

Can you come up with any other verbs where there's either a pull or a push?

squeeze	=	push
pinch	=	push
tug	=	pull
smack	=	push
drag	=	pull
lift	=	It depends how you lift. You could push up on a thing to lift it, or you could pull on it too.

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DISCUSS:

Do you have any ideas for how you could get the watermelon to burst using rubber bands?

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SPECIAL NOTE TO TEACHERS

The next slide features an Activity Video where students learn how to make "Hopper Poppers."

Constructing the hopper takes students about 20-25 minutes. Practicing using their hopper and then completing the "High Hop Score Card" takes an additional 20 minutes.

If your time is limited, there is a natural stopping point after Step 6. Have students write their names on materials, then collect them and resume the activity next science class.

Video trouble?

pull

1 of 5

to move an object toward you

push

2 of 5

to move an object away from you

force

3 of 5

a push or a pull

balanced forces

4 of 5

two equal forces that push or pull in opposite directions so that the object doesn't move

unbalanced forces

5 of 5

two forces that push and pull in opposite directions where one force is greater than the other so that the object moves

Video trouble?

Image & Video Credits

Mystery Science respects the intellectual property rights of the owners of visual assets. We make every effort to use images and videos under appropriate licenses from the owner or by reaching out to the owner to get explicit permission. If you are the owner of a visual and believe we are using it without permission, please contact us—we will reply promptly and make things right.

Exploration

watermelon by Mike Mozart , used under CC BY

kids playing tug-of-war by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: Luis Louro

tug of war European championship by Tug of War Association

Olympic weightlifter by Simon Q

Soldiers playing tug of war by SFC Victor Aguirre

Marine playing a tug of war by Cpl. Matthew Callahan

teacher by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: wavebreakmedia

Student teacher Tug-O-War by pittcaleb

roller skating elephant by Carol Buckley

push by Mark Doliner , used under CC BY

dough stretching by Joe Hall , used under CC BY

roller skates by Image used under license from Shutterstock.com: Julenochek

dog tug o' war by kellinahandbasket , used under CC BY

pile of watermelons by Mike Mozart , used under CC BY

half watermelon by The Chic Life

slow motion watermelon video by The Slow Mo Guys , used under CC BY

Credits

Prepare the Chipboard

If you want your students to practice measuring, you can have them cut 3” x 6” rectangles from chipboard before you begin this lesson. If you don’t have time for students to measure and cut rectangles, we recommend you cut the chipboard into 3” x 6” rectangles before class. It doesn’t take long if you use a paper cutter.

Supplies for Open-Ended Exploration (Optional)

At the end of the activity, we suggest that students change one variable to see how this affects their Hopper Popper. For this open-ended exploration, you can supply students with extra chipboard, extra rubber bands of different sizes, or extra rubber bands of different thicknesses. The Teacher Tips printout will help you guide students during this open-ended exploration.

“The students were accurately using the terms "force", "push" and "pull" and they continued through their day--I love the way the lessons stay with kids and inform their understanding of scientific concepts. ”

“The video clips were terrific to get students thinking, and the time to pause and come up with ideas was helpful. The activity was a huge hit with my students and they were easily able to tell how the force worked and how they could change the force to make it go higher.”

“The kids had a blast and learned a lot. I loved the opportunity for discourse! I took pictures and videos to share with the parents on our class site. I loved how user friendly this was for the teacher too!”

“The video showing how many rubber bands it took to burst the watermelon was the best part of this lesson. The students had great conversation and were also intrigued by the reaction of the rubber bands, as the watermelon burst open. ”

“The Hopper Poppers were a great hit. Doug's questions sparked their inner-scientist and the lesson went well. They had lots of good ideas and strategies to make then jump higher. We all had lots of fun. Thanks Mystery Science. ”

“The students wanted to play our own game of tug of war after watching the lesson! And they LOVED it! The conversations they had around how we could make the game easier or more difficult were awesome. Thanks for the fun lesson!”

“The best part was the student engagement. I also loved (as a teacher) having the step by step instruction. It really helped me fit Science into my other reading/math times and integrate it easier because of it's simple layout and great instructional videos. Saved me time!”

“We really enjoyed making the hopper activity and launching them. This was super-easy to do with a cereal box, a paper cutter, pencil, and ruler-- materials readily on hand at home. We used a paper cutter, rather than scissors, to make sure that we cut along the precise measurements to make our hoppers. Our favorite part was the tug-of-war demonstration and watching the extra tug-of-war video at the end. Not only were these fun, but Mystery Science did a fabulous job of explaining the physics behind winning tug-of-war. Great job! ”

“they loved the hoppers! Several students went home and made different sizes and used different rubber band sizes, variables to see which hopper hopped the highest. They did a demonstration for the class sharing the findings. Mystery Science is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“From a teaching point of view, this lesson had all the parts you would expect in the best you could prepare. The students loved the hands on part and could not wait to take home the hopper and share with family! I look forward to presenting another.”

High Hop Scorecard worksheet	1 per student
Hopper Popper Teacher Tips worksheet	1 per class
Launch Pad printout	1 per student
Pen	1 pen per student
Rulers	1 ruler per student
Scissors	1 pair per student
Chipboard Recycled cereal boxes also work.	Details 18 square inches per student
Rubber Bands (#16)	2 bands per student

How could you win a tug-of-war against a bunch of adults?

pull

push

force

balanced forces

unbalanced forces

Image & Video Credits

Standards

Jump to

20 mins

45 mins

Extend this lesson

Unit Readings

Video

Activity

Transcripts

How could you win a tug-of-war against a bunch of adults?

pull

push

force

balanced forces

unbalanced forces

Image & Video Credits

Activity Prep

Vocabulary

Prepare the Chipboard

Supplies for Open-Ended Exploration (Optional)

20 mins

45 mins

Unit Readings

Video

Activity

Transcripts

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