The Attraction is Obvious: Designing Maglev Systems
Science Topic: Magnetism
Engineering Field: Transportation Engineering
Country: Japan
Storybook: Hikaru's Toy Troubles
In this unit, student understanding will rise to new heights as they explore transportation engineering, magnetism, and the technological innovation of the Magnetic Levitation train. Following the lead of the storybook characters--who need to attract customers to a family-owned toy store before the business fails--students engineer a way to design a levitating vehicle system that will carry packages without them touching the ground.
In the classroom, students explore the science behind the magic-seeming effect of MagLev. Students send magnets “sailing,” help magnets hover, and poke around magnetic poles. Creativity and excitement abound as children use their new insights and the Engineering Design Process to design, test, and improve their own tabletop MagLev transportation systems.
FOSS Connection: Magnetism and Electricity
STC Connection: Magnets and Motors
