How to Pull Something Heavy

For the teacher's introductory presentation and activity preparation:

• How to Pull Something Heavy Presentation (PPTX), a PowerPoint file
• computer and LCD projector, to show a PowerPoint presentation
• EV3 MINDSTORMS and LEGO Digital Designer software to build and program a LEGO-based car; download the LEGO Digital Designer application for free at: https://lego-digital-designer.en.softonic.com/
• LEGO Digital Designer Instructions for the Battle Bot Robot (lxf) (LXF) — a step-by-step guide on how to put LEGO pieces together to build a vehicle for the activity; open the file in the LEGO Digital Designer application
• LEGO MINDSTORMS program: Move Robot Program (ev3) (EV3)

Each group needs:

• EV3, motor, and building blocks from a LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 robot kit (instructions to build and program a basic robot are included with the kit; LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 robot, such as EV3 Core Set (5003400) at https://education.lego.com/en-us/products/lego-mindstorms-education-ev3-core-set/5003400#lego-mindstorms-education-ev3
• 5-Newtons spring scale
• weight scale, to accurately measure objects up to 5 kg
• How to Pull Something Heavy Worksheet (PDF), one per person
• How to Pull Something Heavy Homework (PDF), one per person
• Coefficient of Friction Table (PDF), a reference table with coefficients of static and kinetic friction

Note: This activity can also be conducted with the older (and no longer sold) LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT set instead of EV3; see below for those supplies:

• NXT, motor, and building blocks from a LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robot kit (instructions to build and program a basic robot are included with the kit; LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robot, such as the NXT Base Set
• LEGO MINDSTORMS program: Move Robot Program (rbt) (RBT)