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Marble Jumping Beans: Gravity in Action

Gravity is the force that pulls everything down to Earth—it’s what brings you back when you jump! But what happens when a marble inside a bean starts rolling down a ramp?

As the bean moves down the incline, gravity makes the marble roll inside. When the marble hits the walls of the bean, it causes the bean to flip over, making it look like it’s “jumping” down the ramp!

In this project created by Niittisha, a member of the Rosie Innovators STEM program for young women in high school, you’ll build your own jumping bean to see how gravity and motion work together. Ready to try it? Gather your materials and follow the instructions below!

Required Materials

  • marble
  • tin foil
  • plastic container w/ lid

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1

Start with the short side of the foil facing you, and place the marble on top of it.

Step 2

Roll the foil around the marble to create a tube.

Step 3

Pinch and fold the ends of the foil to seal, with the marble still inside.

Step 4

Place the bean inside a plastic container and shake until the edges are rounded and smooth.

Step 5

Take out the bean, place it on an incline, and watch as it jumps down!

Real Women in STEM

Resource 1

Elsie Eaves

Elsie Eaves was a civil engineer who became one of the first female engineers to work on the design of the Hoover Dam. She was the first woman to be elected to the American Society of Civil Engineers, and she served as president of the Society of Women Engineers.