Fun at the Pit run

After the Fun Run, kids at the Pit Run today had the opportunity to explore inclined planes and the effects of surface friction and rotation when Oneonta World of Learning unveiled another simple exhibit, this one featuring various race tracks. Our craft was a good one for a rainy day (next week will probably present a great rainy day opportunity!):

Cereal Box Marble Race Track:

You will need one cereal box, one marble, three toilet paper tubes, tape (packing tape works well) and scissors.

1. Cut the front off of a cereal box.
2. Take each of the tp tubes and notch out the top of one end.
3. Tape the first tp tube near the top of the box, at an angle, so that a marble can be dropped in through the notch at one end and will roll out the other end.
4. Help your child figure out where to position the next tp tube, so that the marble will fall into it and roll further along.
5. Place the third tp tube below the second, completing the race track.
6. We also cut a hole at the top of the box, so that the marble could be dropped through the top of the box into the track.
7. My son insisted we put a cover over the front so he can open and close his race track.
8. An optional fourth tp tube, cut in half, made a good tray at the bottom to catch the marble at the end. Another option would be to leave a little lip at the bottom of the box so that the marbles don't roll right out.

The Pit Run is a great event for runners of all abilities, whether you are working on your personal best time or a professionally best time, you'll find other runners in your general skill level. If you missed out this year, be sure to put it on the calendar for next year: PitRun.org.

My only remaining dilemma: how to get this OWL tattoo off my cheek before work tomorrow (what was I thinking? It was the boys' idea.)