Get Free Access for 10 Days!
Activity

Amusement Park Ride: The Ups and Downs in Design

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Amusement Park Ride: The Ups and Downs in Design activity also includes:

Groups design the ultimate roller coaster by considering potential and kinetic energy. They test their designs using marbles and then go on to rate each group's design based on aesthetics, loop diameter, and cost.

67 Views 50 Downloads
CCSS: Designed NGSS: Designed
Concepts
engineering design, roller coasters, energy, gravitational force, kinetic energy, potential energy, technology resources
Show More Show Less
Instructional Ideas
  • If possible, take the class to an amusement park to investigate roller coasters and other rides
  • Team up with a physics instructor for the activity
Classroom Considerations
  • Activity requires materials such as foam tubing, marbles, and toothpicks
Pros
  • Includes several extension ideas
  • Provides assessment options at various points of the activity
Cons
  • None