Thanksgiving STEM Activity: Cranberry Zipline Transport (THX02) | Middle School Physical Science (Grades 6-8)

? THANKSGIVING STEM ACTIVITY: CRANBERRY ZIPLINE TRANSPORT CHALLENGE (THX02)

3-Page STEM Activity | Print-Ready PDF Format

Zip into gravity physics, friction coefficients, and mechanical transit engineering! The Cranberry Zipline Transport Challenge (THX02) challenges middle school student teams to act as agricultural mechanics engineers, constructing a lightweight carrier harness out of paperclips, straws, and cups to safely transport fresh cranberries down a 2-meter zipline in record time.

Students explore gravity incline vectors, friction reduction, center of mass stabilization, and average transit speed math (v = d / t)!

? WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS 3-PAGE PACKET?

• ? Page 1: Teacher Guide & Lesson Plan: NGSS alignment (MS-PS2-2, MS-ETS1-2), target science concepts, setup guide, expected student outcomes, answer keys, and math troubleshooting tips.

• ? Page 2: Student Mission Card & Blueprint: Real-world transport engineering scenario hook. Clear material limits box (straw, paper cup, cranberries, string, tape, zero-spill rule). Dedicated Zipline Carrier Harness & Force Schematic sketching zone.

• ? Page 3: Testing Log & Scientific Reflection: Structured Data Testing Table (track distance, transit time s, cargo retention across 3 trials). Applied Math Connection (calculate average velocity in m/s across testing trials). Physics reflection questions.

? CORE STEM SKILLS COVERED:

• Mechanical Engineering & Incline Slope Physics

• Friction Reduction, Energy Conversion & Carrier Stability

• Data Logging, Precision Timing (s), and Velocity Math Calculations (m/s)

• Center of Gravity Optimization and Cargo Retention Design

? WHY TEACHERS LOVE THIS RESOURCE:

• 3-Page Professional Layout: Includes a complete Page 1 Teacher Guide for seamless prep, keeping student lab sheets clean and ready to print!

• Low-Cost Materials: Uses simple plastic straws, paper cups, fresh cranberries (or marbles), fishing line/string, and tape.

• High-Impact Physics Lab: Transforms energy conversion and friction equations into an engaging, high-speed classroom competition!

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

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

Subject Area: Physical Science, Physics, Forces and Motion, Incline Mechanics, Thanksgiving STEM Labs

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