Use the power of gravity to create a roller coaster complete with loops and jumps! This challenging activity is a fun STEM project for school age kids that encourages critical thinking and problem solving. Can you create a successful marble roller coaster?

Supplies for Marble Roller Coaster

• Pool noodles cut into thirds then cut again length wise. I had trouble finding pool noodles in December, but I found a 10 pack on Amazon. Click here to see the current price.
• 1 roll of masking tape per child or group
• 2 Marbles per child or group
• Styrofoam or plastic cups

Get kids Talking & Thinking

​Ask the kids if they have ever been on a roller coaster. Discuss the different features a roller coaster may have such as, loops, corkscrews, drops, etc. Explain to the kids that today they are roller coaster engineers.  Each team will be given two marbles, their job as engineers is to create the best, and coolest, and safest roller coaster for their marble. 

How to run a Marble Roller Coaster Challenge

Give each child or group a roll of masking tape, 4-6 pieces of noodle, a cup and a place to work. Each group should have a place away from other groups to allow them to think big and build as large a roller coaster as they like without feeling limited by space. 

Allow kids use chairs, tables, walls, etc. in creating their coasters. Have each group attach the cup to the end of their coaster, this will keep them marbles from rolling all over the room.  Give the kids 30-40 minutes to complete their coaster.

As the kids are building, rotate around the room and help them work through problems they encounter.  When time is up, gather the kids around one coaster, have the engineers explain their design, their thought process, any problems they encountered, and how they fixed them. 

Then have the engineers demonstrate by sending their marble down the coaster.  Move on to the next coaster and repeat until every team had had a chance to show off their coaster.