Yesterday’s goal was to carry as many beads as possible on the train without falling off or the train ceasing to levitate. We put more magnet on the track. We did this because we learned from a previous experiment that two magnets can hold one higher. We put two ring magnets on a pencil and it levitated. Than we added a ring magnet on the bottom. The magnet on the top floated higher. Therefore two magnets are stronger than one.

Our final track was two strip magnets on each side, doubling the magnetic field. Our train had two tiny strip magnets on each side. This makes the train levitate across the track with weights on it. I think the train was successful because the weight on it was even and the poles were alike on either side.

This was our final drawing for our train.

We used the EDP (engineering design process) to help us. The first stage “Ask” is a stage where we ask questions that relate to our problem. The next stage, the “Imagine” stage, we brainstorm some ideas and chose the idea the we think is right. The next stage, the “Plan” stage, we draw our final idea out and get some things we need. The next stage, the “Create” stage is when we, well, create it! The last stage, the “Improve” stage is when we look at our design and say, “Did it work?” and “How can I make this better?” My experience with my group was great. Thank you to Mrs. Luciano for teaching us about this and helping us along, and thank you to the school district for the magnets! I had a wonderful time. Thank you.