The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Roller Coaster Runs

Roller Coaster Runs

A 6-8 grade STEM lesson

Author

Susin Hall

Date

July 26, 2023

Notes for teachers

*Save any random materials you can think of that students might use for this project. Half the fun was seeing what students took to build each roller coaster.

*My list of materials state POSSIBLE as there are no set materials. It was what I had on hand in the classroom.

*I gave each group a small cardboard (privacy board) as the base for the coaster. Could be off the board but must start on the board.

*I could have easily used three days (I only had two days for this activity. My lesson was during a summer enrichment class as a final activity.)

*Try and have groups of three if possible.

List of POSSIBLE Materials

• Paper Plates
• Various Size Cups (3 oz, styrofoam, Solo, etc.)
• Construction Paper
• Scratch Paper (I used old worksheets)
• Paper Clips
• Masking or Painters Tape
• Toilet paper/Paper Towel Rolls
• Pipe Cleaners
• Stickers
• Water Bottle Lids
• Ping Pong Ball (only required supply)

Standards

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Science and Engineering Practices

(a dimension of the Arizona Science Standards)

• ask questions and define problems
• develop and use models
• plan and carry out investigations
• analyze and interpret data
• use mathematical and computational thinking
• construct explanations and design solutions
• engage in argument from evidence
• obtain, evaluate and communicate information

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Physical Science Standard

7.P2U1.2 Develop and use a model to predict how forces act on objects at a distance.

Standards for Mathematical Practices

MP.5 Use appropriate tools strategically.

MP.6 Attend to precision.

Math Standard

7.G.A.1: Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures, such as computing actual lengths and areas from a scale drawing and reproducing a scale drawing at a different scale.

Objective:

Today students will plan, build and create a roller coaster from random materials that a Ping Pong ball can travel through.

Agenda (at least two or three days)

Day One:

• Sketch out a plan for your roller coaster. Be sure to include items that make your coaster a “Must Ride”.
• Think about what supplies you will need.
• Start building your coaster.

Day Two/Three:

• Finish building coaster.
• Test coaster to make sure Ping Pong can make it through the course.
• Give coaster a name.
• Judging of final coaster (looking at design, creativity and effectiveness).

What do you NOTICE?

What do you WONDER?

When you think of roller coasters, what is something you picture the ride having?

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Group size: 3 students
• Have each group sketch out a plan for the roller coaster. Depending on the standard you are covering, this could be done on graph paper to talk about scale models.
• Have students think about what supplies they want to use.

Note: If you allow, students can bring supplies from home for the build. Could be on a permission base status.

• Students then work on building rollercoaster over the time allotted.

If you want, you could add requirements, such as must include a loop.

• Bring in guest judges to see each roller coaster in action.
• Optional: hand out prizes for the roller coasters for overall or for a specific category (i.e. best design).

Grab you rollercoaster and finish your build!! :)

Design

Effectiveness

Creativity

Assessment/Check for Understanding

• Use a 3-2-1 exit ticket. THREE things they learned, TWO things they found interesting and ONE thing they still want to learn or understand.
• Peer Evaluation - could assess how group members interacted with each other.

Differentiation

Meet with groups if struggling to help with layout or a sketch for a design.

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Pair students as needed.

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Provide additional resources such as books and videos.

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Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Give students a budget and charge for materials.

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• Research roller coasters and have students create a roller coaster based on a specific real life roller coaster.

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• Require certain features or materials as must haves.