Magnetic Levitation Track STEM Challenge (FME05) | Middle School Physical Science (Grades 6-8)

? MAGNETIC LEVITATION TRACK STEM CHALLENGE (FME05)

3-Page STEM Activity | Print-Ready PDF Format

Harness magnetic force fields, non-contact forces, and friction-free engineering! The Magnetic Levitation Track Challenge (FME05) challenges middle school student teams to act as high-speed transit engineers, constructing a functional maglev vehicle sled and track bed to levitate cargo and achieve frictionless glide speeds.

Students explore magnetic forces (attraction vs. repulsion), non-contact magnetic fields, gravity balance, mechanical friction elimination, and velocity math (m/s)!

? WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS 3-PAGE PACKET?

• ? Page 1: Teacher Guide & Lesson Plan: NGSS alignment (MS-PS2-2, MS-PS2-3, MS-PS2-5), target science concepts, and magnet polarity setup guide. Expected student outcomes, answer keys, and track stability troubleshooting tips.

• ? Page 2: Student Mission Card & Blueprint: Real-world maglev high-speed train engineering scenario hook. Clear material limits box (ring/block magnets, cardboard track channel, index card/foam sled, tape, meter stick, stopwatch). Dedicated Maglev Vehicle & Track Field Schematic sketching zone.

• ? Page 3: Testing Log & Scientific Reflection: Structured Data Testing Table (compare ground friction baseline runs vs. levitation runs and payload levitation runs across 1 meter). Applied Math Connection (calculate velocity in m/s and maglev speed increase ratios). Physics reflection questions.

? CORE STEM SKILLS COVERED:

• Transportation Engineering, Non-Contact Forces & Magnetic Field Physics

• Magnetic Polarity Alignment (Repulsion Vectors vs. Gravitational Pull)

• Data Logging, Precision Metric Speeds (m/s), and Velocity Comparison Math

• Sliding Friction Elimination and Structural Stability Tuning

? WHY TEACHERS LOVE THIS RESOURCE:

• 3-Page Professional Layout: Includes a complete Teacher Guide for effortless prep, keeping student lab sheets clean and ready to print!

• Low-Cost Everyday Supplies: Built using standard ceramic or neodymium magnets, cardboard strips or foam insulation channels, index cards, and tape.

• High-Impact Physics Lab: Makes abstract magnetic field concepts hands-on, high-speed, and visually impressive in the classroom!

• Format: High-resolution, print-ready PDF format (3 Pages).

Target Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th / Middle School

Subject Area: Physical Science, Physics, Forces and Motion, Magnetism, Non-Contact Forces

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