In this activity, you must work together to create a company that will design a roller coaster. All information will be compiled in the team journal/notebook and at the end of each period students must write their findings. As you test your designs, you will collect the data for your team journal and record observations as to improve performance, meet requirements, etc.
Practice online. Bend and shape the track of your roller coaster to send passengers on a thrilling, yet safe ride.
Roller Coaster Creator or Roller Coaster Creator
Now… Build Your Own Roller Coaster. Find a balance between safety and fun!
Now Try… Amusement Park Physics!
Home Challenge: Your job is to design and build a roller coaster. Parameters may require a certain number of loops, a certain ride time, or even track length. Use the lengths of foam insulation as the track with the marbles or bouncy balls as the roller coaster cars. Consider your audience, a theme and features. Have fun!
Materials:
- Foam pipe insulation (any diameter; cut in half lengthwise)
- Duct tape, Paper, Cardboard
- Marbles or small hi-bounce balls
- Masking tape
- Journal
- Stopwatch