Transportation is a common theme to study in preschool and Kindergarten. A lot of preschool teachers and early elementary teachers like to add some science to their themed activities, but it’s not as easy to figure out what sort of science topics to cover during a transportation theme. In this fun transportation science activity, you can teach kids how to make and use magnetic race track inspired by speeding cars and winding roads.
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Whether you’re looking to incorporate STEM concepts, encourage imaginative play, or simply add a dash of fun to your curriculum, this magnetic race track is sure to delight and inspire kids of all ages.
For younger kids, complement this activity with a transportation themed sensory bin to encourage a rich, hands-on sensory exploration.
Preschool Transportation Science Topics
Here are some science concepts you can cover in the preschool classroom when learning about transportation.
Modes of Transportation
Introduce preschoolers to different modes of transportation, such as cars, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats, and bicycles. Explore the characteristics of each mode, including how they move, where they travel, and what they are used for. These transportation books for children are a great way to learn more about modes of transportation.
Simple Machines
Teach preschoolers about simple machines commonly found in transportation, such as wheels and axles, ramps, and levers. Explain how these simple machines make it easier to move objects or vehicles from one place to another.
Energy and Motion
Explain how vehicles use energy, such as gasoline, electricity, or human power, to move. Explore how forces like pushing, pulling, and friction affect the motion of vehicles. Explain how in this activity, preschoolers will use magnets to power their cars on the track. You can also create this Rubber Band Car that actually works to demonstrate basic concepts in physics.
Gravity and Friction
Discuss the role of gravity and friction in transportation, particularly in relation to vehicles moving on land. Explore how gravity pulls objects toward the Earth and how friction between tires and the road helps vehicles stop or slow down.
Safety and Engineering
Discuss how engineers design vehicles to be safe and efficient using science. Discuss features like seat belts, airbags, and traffic signs that help keep passengers and pedestrians safe.
How to Teach Magnet Science to Preschoolers
Here are a few strategies you can implement to explain magnet science to preschoolers.
Explain that magnets are special objects that can stick to certain materials, like metal. Show preschoolers different types of magnets, such as bar magnets, horseshoe magnets, and magnetic toys like fridge magnets.
Provide a variety of materials, such as paper clips, coins, and plastic toys, and allow the children to test which objects are attracted to magnets. This hands-on exploration helps them understand that magnets only attract certain materials, like iron, nickel, and cobalt.
Demonstrate how magnets can attract or repel each other. Use two bar magnets or magnetic toys to show how they stick together when the opposite poles (north and south) are facing each other, and how they push apart when the same poles are facing each other.
Explain that magnets create invisible lines of force around them called magnetic fields. Use iron filings or magnetic sand to visualize magnetic fields by sprinkling them on a piece of paper and placing a magnet underneath. As the iron filings align along the magnetic field lines, preschoolers can see the shape and direction of the magnetic field.
Help preschoolers understand how magnets are used in everyday life. Show them examples of magnetic objects, such as refrigerator magnets, magnetic toys, and magnetic compasses. Explain that magnets are also used in technology, like speakers, headphones, and credit card strips.
How to Make a Paper Plate Magnet Race Track
Here is what you need to create these paper plate race tracks with preschoolers.
Children will love that they can “magically” control their cars by using a magnet under the paper plate to “drive” the car around.
Materials for a Magnetic Race Track
- Paper plates
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Magnets (one round magnet for the “car” and one for the track)
How to Complete the Magnetic Race Track Activity
Follow along with these steps to make your own magnet-powered race track!
Use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to decorate the paper plates to make them look like a circular race track. They can add colorful stripes, road signs, trees, or any other features they imagine. The more personalized and unique each race track is, the more fun the activity will be!
Place one round magnet on the back side of your “car” (in our case, a small round refrigerator magnet – this will serve as the driving force that propels the car along the track.
Next, attach another magnet underneath the race car. This is how you will propel the car using magnetic forces.
Place the “car” at the starting line and gently guide it along the track using the magnet below the paper plate. Watch in amazement as the “car” speeds around corners and navigates obstacles with ease.
Encourage kiddos to experiment with different speeds and angles, adjusting the position of the magnets to see how it affects the movement of the “car.”
They can even race with their friends and see whose “car” is the fastest!
Transportation Theme STEM Extensions
Here are some other STEM extensions you can do alongside this magnet-powered race car!
- Incorporate math concepts by measuring the distance traveled by the cars or counting the number of laps completed.
- Have children try to propel larger and smaller objects with a magnet. How does the size of the magnet or the strength change how the cars move?
- Try flipping the magnets and propelling the car along the track using the south to south sides of the magnet. This makes the magnets push against each other, and will make magnetic science even more magical.
With these science topics and activities can create a dynamic and enriching experience that sparks curiosity and fosters a love of science in the preschool years through a transportation theme. So, grab your markers, magnets, and imagination, and get ready for an exciting adventure on the magnetic race track!
Make completing a transportation unit easy with this printable pack.
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