Virtual Bouncy Balls
The Virtual Bouncy Balls tool is an interactive, sound-reactive learning activity that lets students explore cause and effect through play. By making noise, children see balls bounce; louder sounds push more balls upward. Teachers can use this to engage students in sensory learning, movement, and fun experiments.
How to use
How to use
The Virtual Bouncy Balls tool gives teachers flexible ways to make lessons more dynamic:
Warm-ups / Attention Grabbers – At the start of class, turn on the balls and let students make sound to see what happens; this gets them excited, alert, and ready to participate.
Science & Sensory Learning – Use it to illustrate sound energy: discuss how sound (volume) influences movement, gravity, reaction. Maybe change gravity settings or sensitivity to show differences.
Pair or Group Experiments – Students in pairs can test what happens when speaking softly vs loudly, or what happens when gravity is turned off vs on.
Assessment / Reflection – After experimenting, ask students to explain what they observed: how sound affected the balls, what setting changes made a difference, why.
Fun / Game Elements – Turn it into a challenge: Who can make the quietest sound to move a ball? Or use a timer: how many balls can you get bouncing in 30 seconds?
Differentiation – Adjust sensitivity or gravity so students of different levels have different experiences; some may focus on understanding cause & effect, others on exploring physics concepts more deeply.
