Where is speed hiding in Super Mario Maker moving platforms?

Quick answer

Speed in Super Mario Maker moving platforms is hidden in how fast platforms move from one side to the other. You can see speed by comparing how long it takes platforms to travel the same distance when they move slowly, medium, or fast.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to compare how fast different moving platforms move by looking at how long they take to travel the same distance.

• You can tell which platform moves fastest or slowest.
• You can measure how long platforms take to go from one side to the other.
• You can describe speed using words like "slow", "medium", and "fast".
• You can predict how far a platform moves in a certain time.

Why this matters

Speed is everywhere in the world around us. It helps you understand how long it takes to get somewhere, how fast a car or bike is going, or how quickly a game character moves. In Super Mario Maker, platforms move at different speeds to make the game more exciting or challenging. Learning about speed helps you think about time and distance in real life, like how long it takes to walk to school or how fast a train goes.

How it works

Speed is how quickly something moves from one place to another. We can compare speeds by seeing how far something travels in the same amount of time.

1. Choose a fixed distance for platforms to travel (like 10 steps).
2. Time how long it takes each platform to travel that distance.
3. Compare the times to see which platform is slowest, fastest, or medium speed.
4. Draw a picture or use blocks to show how far each platform goes in the same time.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine three moving platforms in Super Mario Maker. Each platform moves from left to right across the screen. We'll compare how fast they go.

When platforms travel the same distance but take different times, we can say how fast or slow they are.

Try it as a mini adventure

Imagine you are building a Super Mario Maker level with moving platforms. You want to make sure players can jump on them safely. Here’s your challenge:

1. Draw a line on the floor that is 10 steps long.
2. Use a stopwatch to time how long it takes you to walk that distance.
3. Now try walking the same distance at different speeds – slow, medium, fast.
4. Record how long it takes each time.
5. Compare your times and say which speed you walked fastest.

This is like watching platforms move in the game. The faster you walk, the less time it takes to cover the same distance!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that a platform that moves a long distance is always fast.
• Why it happens: Children often confuse distance with speed. A platform that moves a long way might take a long time, so it's not necessarily fast.
• Fix: Always compare how long it takes to travel the same distance. A short distance at a fast speed can be faster than a long distance at a slow speed.
• Mistake: Not using a fixed distance when comparing platforms.
• Why it happens: It's easy to get confused if platforms move different distances.
• Fix: Always measure the same distance for each platform. This helps you compare speed fairly.
• Mistake: Mixing up fast and slow when describing movement.
• Why it happens: Young children may not understand that speed is about time and distance.
• Fix: Use words like “takes longer” or “takes less time” to help describe speed.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child understand speed by:

1. Using everyday examples like walking, biking, or driving to show how speed works.
2. Timing simple activities like jumping rope or running across the room.
3. Asking your child to compare how fast different things go (e.g., a car vs. a bicycle).
4. Encouraging your child to draw or build platforms with different speeds.
5. Reinforcing that speed = distance ÷ time (though you don’t need to teach this formula yet).

Remember: Don’t worry if your child makes mistakes. Speed is a tricky idea, and it takes time to understand. Be patient and keep playing with the ideas!

Practice questions

1. Platform A takes 6 seconds to travel 10 steps. Platform B takes 3 seconds to travel 10 steps. Which is faster?
2. Which platform is slowest if it takes 8 seconds to travel 10 steps?
3. If a platform takes 2 seconds to travel 10 steps, how long would it take to travel 20 steps at the same speed?
4. Platform C takes 4 seconds to travel 10 steps. Is this fast or slow?
5. How long does it take a platform to travel 10 steps if it is moving at medium speed?

Answers:

1. Platform B is faster because it takes less time.
2. Platform that takes 8 seconds is slowest.
3. It would take 4 seconds to travel 20 steps at the same speed.
4. Medium speed – not very fast, not very slow.
5. It depends on how you define medium, but usually 3–5 seconds for 10 steps.

FAQ

How do I know if a platform is moving fast or slow?

Compare how long it takes the platform to go the same distance. If it takes less time, it’s faster. If it takes more time, it’s slower.

Can I measure speed with a stopwatch?

Yes! You can use a stopwatch to measure how long it takes a platform to travel a set distance. This helps you compare speeds.

Why do platforms move at different speeds in games?

Game designers use different speeds to make the game more fun or challenging. Fast platforms make it harder to jump on them, while slow platforms are easier.

Is speed the same as distance?

No, speed is how quickly something moves. Distance is how far it goes. Speed is about time and distance together.

Can I use this to plan my own Super Mario Maker level?

Yes! You can make platforms move at different speeds to create fun challenges for players. Try planning your own moving platforms and timing how they move!