Science Buddies – Ball Run Challenge

Our Grade 5 students stepped into the role of young engineers as they took on an exciting hands-on STEM challenge,  designing and building creative ball runs using only paper and tape.

With limited materials but unlimited imagination, students worked collaboratively to plan, construct, test, and redesign their models. Through this engaging activity, they explored key scientific concepts such as force, motion, gravity, energy transfer, and Newton’s Laws of Motion. Every adjustment they made required critical thinking, observation, and problem-solving — mirroring the real-world engineering design process.

The classroom was filled with experimentation and discovery. Some designs required rebuilding, others needed reinforcement, and many teams refined their structures multiple times before achieving smooth motion. This process taught students resilience, teamwork, and the value of learning through trial and improvement.

To conclude the unit, students created detailed science posters summarizing the concepts they applied in their designs. They then confidently presented their work to peers across the school, strengthening not only their conceptual understanding but also their public speaking and communication skills.

Beyond the mechanics of motion and energy, students also reflected on a deeper lesson, that the laws of science demonstrate the order, balance, and perfection in Allah’s creation. Understanding these principles allowed them to appreciate how the physical world operates with precision and harmony.

At RQA, science is not limited to textbooks.
It is built.
Tested.
Shared.
And experienced with curiosity, purpose, and joy.