PreK-2 STEM Gravity and Engineering Curriculum Kit

An 88-piece premium ball track system from HABA paired with an 18-page standards-aligned STEM curriculum covering gravity, engineering design, and problem-solving from PreK through 2nd grade. Students build mountain-themed courses and launch balls through spiral curves, bell gates, domino staircases, and a gondola station while learning the physics of motion through hands-on experimentation.

What's Included:
The HABA Kullerbu Mountain Adventure Track Set features 88 interlocking pieces that create 8+ possible track configurations using HABA's click-connect system (insert, click, done). The tracks snap securely into place and stay locked even when enthusiastic builders bump into them. Key components include 3 spiral curves that build speed with each rotation, a bell gate that rings when the ball passes through, a domino staircase that triggers a chain reaction, a gondola top station, a rockfall and boulder gate that add unpredictability to the ball's path, 18 stackable columns for varying track heights, and a battery-powered truck that drives balls to the top of the mountain for continuous action. Three themed balls (Edelweiss, Marmot, and Ibex, named after Alpine animals) are included for rolling and racing. All parts are large with a ball diameter of 1 3/4 inches, well above the choking hazard threshold, making the set safe for children ages 2 and up. Built from a combination of premium wood and durable plastic by HABA, a German toy manufacturer with over 85 years of experience. Meets all applicable safety standards including European EN71 and US ASTM F963.
The curriculum follows three integrated learning tracks across all grade bands. The Physics Track covers gravity (balls always roll downhill), speed and height (taller ramps produce faster balls), ramps and inclined planes, cause and effect (ball hits bell, bell rings), energy transfer (ball slows after triggering dominoes), and friction (ball eventually stops on flat surfaces). The Engineering Track covers building, testing, redesigning, the engineering design cycle (plan, build, test, fix, test again), spatial reasoning, and design optimization. The Mathematics Track covers sorting, classifying, counting, measuring with non-standard units, comparing quantities, collecting data across multiple trials, and calculating averages.
The 18-page curriculum guide covers three grade bands (PreK, K-1, and Grade 2), each with learning objectives, detailed activities, and alignment to NGSS (pushes and pulls, motion, engineering design), CCSS Math (counting, measurement, data representation, operations), CCSS ELA (descriptive vocabulary, observation writing, presentations), Head Start ELOF (scientific reasoning, fine motor development, mathematics development), and CASEL SEL competencies (persistence, cooperation, self-management).
PreK students explore the track through free play, sort and count all 88 pieces into groups, hunt for every sound the ball makes on its journey, discover the difference between the powered truck and the gravity-powered ball, and practice cooperative building with a partner. K-1 students build ramps at three different heights and measure how far the ball travels past the end, design tracks to land the ball in a target cup, investigate how removing one domino breaks the chain reaction, and practice the engineering design cycle by planning, building, testing, fixing, and retesting their track designs. Second graders conduct formal 5-trial speed experiments comparing two track configurations, compete to build the longest-running track (optimizing for duration instead of speed), systematically explore all 8+ possible configurations and rate each one, engineer an obstacle course designed to slow the ball down as much as possible, and research the Alpine animals the themed balls are named after.
Includes 6 printable worksheets: Where Did the Ball Go? (PreK ball path drawing with observation prompts), Sort and Count (PreK classification and counting of all 88 pieces), Ramp Challenge (K-1 three-height experiment with distance measurement), Build and Test (K-1 engineering design cycle with plan, build, test, fix stages), Speed Experiment (Grade 2 five-trial controlled experiment with averages and variable identification), and My Track Design (Grade 2 design drawing with component checklist and four-category rating system).

Designed for homeschool families, preschool classrooms, STEM programs, and early childhood learning centers. Curriculum guide delivered digitally as a PDF after purchase.