No Snag Zipline

Create a zipline which can deliver a snack, or other fun cargo, to a family member who is standing six feet away from you.

To set up the zipline: Find two spots within your home which are six feet apart. Check with your family to be sure that they are both a safe place to tie a string or ribbon to. When tying the two ends of the string be sure that one side is higher than the other.

Note: The material potential for this challenge is endless! Feel free to try items not on our material list.

Materials: string/ribbon, scrap cardboard, paper clips, paper tubes, paper bowls, paper plates, tape

Tools: scissors, ruler

Measure of Success: successfully (not sticking or stopping or dropping) delivery of snack to family member

ASK: What is the problem you are trying to address? What are the constraints? What information do you need in order to solve the problem?

IMAGINE: What ideas do you have for creating your zipline? What is your best idea?

PLAN: Diagram your design ideas. How are you using your materials?

CREATE and TEST: Create your zipline and test your design. Was it successful? Why or why not? What worked with your design? What could you do to make the zipline better?

IMPROVE and TEST: Did the improvements you made make your design better or worse?

Want to see how well WBTV meteorologist and reporter Jonathan Stacey did on this challenge? Check out the link below!

Mr. Russell’s Classroom: Chew on this experiment for a while