Did You Know?
Did you know that the wheel of cheese chosen for the annual competition is a Double Gloucester, and weighs up to 4kg, or almost 9 pounds? And while rolling down the hill, it has been clocked up to speeds of up to 112km/h, or 70mp/h? If the cheese were to hit you at that speed, the impact force would have roughly twice the power of a knockout punch from a professional heavyweight boxer, or about the same as being hit with a 5 gallon water jug thrown from a third floor balcony.
When to Celebrate
The Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling Festival occurs every year on the spring Bank Holiday in the United Kingdom, which falls on the last Monday of May annually. This day symbolically marks the transition from spring into summer.
The Toolkit
To build your Daring Downhill Descenders, gather these supplies:
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The amomii Template: [GET THE FREE TEMPLATE HERE]
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Cardstock or A4 Paper: (Use thicker paper for a stronger build)
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Glue or Double-Sided Tape
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Scissors or Craft Knife: (Safety First: Always ask an adult for assistance when using sharp cutting tools)
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2 Marbles
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A piece of Cardstock (for reinforcement)
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2 Rubber Band
The Build: Step-by-Step
Phase 1: Print & Cut
1.Print and Prepare: Print your template and cut out all the pieces.
Parts Needed (per character):
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1 rectangular piece
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2 capsule-shaped pieces: for extra durability, attach the capsule pieces onto cardstock backing before assembling.
Phase 2: Build the Body
2. Fold the Base: Fold both sides of the rectangular piece as instructed to form the body structure.
3. Attach Capsules: Glue the capsule pieces onto both sides of the rectangle. This creates the outer shell.
Phase 3: Add the Character
4. Attach Design: Glue the character design onto the structure—but don’t seal the entire body yet.
Phase 4: Insert the Motion Mechanism
5. Add Marbles: Carefully place 2 marbles inside the body. These will create the rolling motion.
6. Seal the Body: Glue and close the remaining parts to fully enclose the marbles.
Phase 5: Final Assembly
7. Attach Rubber Bands: Secure one rubber band on each side of the structure. This helps stabilize and guide movement.
Your Daring Downhill Descender is complete! 🏁
Place it on a slope and watch it roll, race, and compete with others.
Success Checklist
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Roll Test: Does your descender roll smoothly downhill?
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Balance Check: Is the structure balanced on both sides?
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Seal Check: Are the marbles securely enclosed inside the body?
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Speed Test: Does it move fast and consistently without getting stuck?
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Show us your Daring Downhill Descenders!
Create more than one and turn it into a race! Share your Downhill Descenders in action on Instagram or TikTok and tag #amomiiSSC. We’d love to see your creativity in action!
PROJECT CREDITS
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amomii Lead: Shaun
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Graphics & Templates: Kelly
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Video & Blog Content: Cindy & Vera
