Sledding and Science on a Snowy Day
In this lesson, young children will learn about concepts such as speed, gravity and force while sledding down a hill.
Learning Goals:
This lesson will help children meet the following educational standards:
- Develop beginning skills in the use of science and engineering practices such as observing, asking questions, solving problems, and drawing conclusions
- Explore the physical properties of objects
- Use tools and technology to assist with science and engineering investigations
Learning Targets:
After this lesson, children should be more proficient at:
- Collecting, describing, comparing, and recording information from observations and investigations
- Identifying, describing and comparing the physical properties of objects
- Using nonstandard and standard scientific tools for investigation
Step 1: Gather materials.
- A snow-covered slope or a hill (with at least several inches of snow)
- Parent volunteers (1 volunteer for every 4-6 children)
- Sleds (Depending on the size and slope of the hill, younger children may have great success without a sled at all. Snowsuits are often all they will need. Keep it simple!)
- Something to mark distance (a boot mark, stick, etc.)
- Winter outdoor gear (snowsuit or heavy coats with snow pants, boots, hats, and gloves)
Step 2: Introduce activity.
- With access to a snowy hill, you have the day's STEM curriculum at your fingertips. Take advantage of this opportunity to introduce STEM vocabulary words and teach the children about concepts such as distance, gravity, speed, and force.
- Before you take the children outdoors, ask the following questions:
- If you sit on your sled at the top of the hill, does anything happen?
- What needs to happen for you to start sledding down the hill?
- Will you go faster or farther down the hill if someone else pushes you off?
- Can you make the sled stop if you want to?
- What else would make the sled stop at some point?
- Do you want to mark how far you go on each sled run? (The answer will be yes!)
Step 3: Engage children in lesson activities.
- Head over to the snow-covered slope or hill with the children and their sleds.
- The children will start at the top of the hill and ride down on their sleds.
- When you come to a complete stop at the bottom, mark the spot by making a line in the snow with a stick or the heel of your boot.
- Repeat the process over and over.
- While the children are repeating the process, there will be many opportunities to discuss the questions the children answered and the predictions that they made in the classroom.
- When you get back to the classroom, take some time to warm up after your winter adventure, enjoy a snack, and read one of the Suggested Books listed below.
Step 4: Engineering vocabulary
- Force: The push or pull on an object that causes it to change velocity; active power that pushes or pulls on an object and causes a change in motion or balance
- Gravity: A force that pulls you down the hill
- Physics: The study of matter, energy and motion
- Speed: The act of moving rapidly or swiftly
- Velocity: Quickness of motion or action
Suggested Books
- A Sled for Gabo by Emma Otheguy
- Cece Loves Science: Push and Pull by Kimberly Derting and Shelli R. Johannes
- Hello, World! Snow by Jill McDonald
- Roll, Slope, and Slide: A Book About Ramps by Michael Dahl
- Ten on the Sled by Kim Norman
Music and Movement
Outdoor Connections
Web Resources
- Snowy winter days offer abundant opportunities to teach children about concepts such as speed, gravity and force. View this "Physics of Sledding Science" video for a sledding and physics lesson plan that's just right for early learners.
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