Engage your students with a fast-paced, low-prep engineering and physics lab that turns two cups and a table tennis ball into a rich investigation of airflow and pressure.

Students use the full scientific method to test how the gap between two cups affects the success rate of transferring a ball by blowing, then explain their results using scientific principles.

What students do

• Identify variables, write a testable hypothesis, and perform the investigation
• Collect data across five gap distances with repeated trials
• Compute success rates, graph results, and determine the optimal gap
• Construct a claim supported by evidence and reasoning grounded in airflow physics

What’s included

• Teacher Guide with setup, safety, pacing, and background science
• Student Packet with clear procedures, variables table, and raw data sheets
• Summary table and graph template (Success Rate vs Gap)
• Sample data set with model answers for analysis questions
• Assessment rubric for design, data, graphing, CER, and collaboration
• Printable diagram of the setup and gap ruler reference

Materials

Two identical cups, one ping-pong ball, ruler or tape measure, masking tape, optional straws

Why teachers love it

• Students really enjoy and get into the challenge
• Truly hands-on, quick to set up, and highly repeatable
• Builds experimental design, data literacy, and CER writing
• Flexible for one period or extended analysis

➡️ You can get this STEM as well as all my other ones in this series inside my STEM Investigations Growing Bundle. As more labs are added, the price will increase. CLICK HERE to have a look

I also have the following STEM Labs in My Store:

• Blow Cup Challenge STEM Lab
• Paper Table STEM Lab
• Pendulum STEM Lab
• Parachute STEM Lab
• Catapult STEM Lab
• Paper Airplane - Angle of Attack STEM Lab
• Bottle Flip STEM Lab
• Paper Helicopter STEM Lab
• Yeast Balloon STEM Lab
• Balloon Lift Design STEM Lab
• Candy Combustion Calorimetry STEM
• Marble Ramp: Height vs Average Speed STEM Lab
• Clean Water Filtration STEM Lab
• Beetle Genetics STEM Lab
• Adaptations by Design - Extreme Environments STEM Lab

NGSS Alignment

• MS-ETS1-1 Define criteria and constraints of a design problem
• MS-ETS1-2 Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process
• MS-ETS1-3 Analyze test data to compare and improve solutions
• MS-PS2-2 Plan and conduct an investigation showing how forces and mass affect motion
• Science & Engineering Practices: Planning & Carrying Out Investigations; Analyzing & Interpreting Data; Constructing Explanations; Engaging in Argument from Evidence