Let the good times roll as young thrill seekers build a roller coaster on school grounds. Future engineers design and build a roller coaster from flexible tubing. The roller coaster is for a marble, so there will be plenty of room to let it fly!

Concepts

engineering design, roller coasters, potential energy, kinetic energy, acceleration, technology resources

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Instructional Ideas

• If possible, take pupils on a field trip to an amusement park to study the physics of rides
  

Classroom Considerations

• Some supplies are necessary for the activity; see complete list in resource
• Instructor guide recommends prior preparation of the tubes (cutting to a specified length)
  

Pros

• Provides definitions for the relevant terminology
• Describes several engineering and science connections
  

Cons

• None