Welcome!

Creative Coasters

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Explore Energy and Energy Transfer

• What do roller coasters have in common?
• What powers a roller coaster?

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Describe Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy

Kinetic energy is the energy an object has due to motion.

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Potential energy is stored energy held by an object because of relative position, electric charge, or internal stress.

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VAIeducation.org

Describe Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy

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PhET Skate Park Simulations

PhET Energy Skate Park Simulator: Basics

Simulation by PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder, licensed under CC-BY-4.0 (https://phet.colorado.edu)

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PhET Skate Park Simulations

PhET Energy Skate Park Simulator

Simulation by PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder, licensed under CC-BY-4.0 (https://phet.colorado.edu)

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• What did you discover while using the simulators?
• How did kinetic and potential energy change in each simulator?
• How could you apply what you learned from this experience to build a roller coaster?

Simulation by PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder, licensed under CC-BY-4.0 (https://phet.colorado.edu)

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Process of Scientific Inquiry

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Question: How do the amounts of potential energy and kinetic energy in a system change when we adjust an object’s mass or the ramp height?

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Marble Mass Investigation

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Ramp Height Investigation

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Process of Engineering Design

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Roller Coaster Design Challenge

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Problem: Design a roller coaster that provides the most thrill for its riders.

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Criteria:

• The roller coaster model must achieve a high score when evaluated using the Thrill-Seeker Rubric.
• The roller coaster model must have at least four features listed on the Thrill-Seeker Rubric.
• The marble must stay on the track and travel unassisted.
• The marble must land in the cup at the end of the track.

Constraints:

• Use only the materials provided.
• Complete within the time limit provided by your teacher.

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Roller Coaster Design Challenge

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Plan your roller coaster!

Your plan should include:

• Planned heights of each hill
• The four (or more) features you plan to include in your design
• Which marble(s) you plan �to use

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Build your roller coaster!

• Gather all materials
• Follow your design plan
• Monitor the time

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Test your roller coaster!

• Record any special notes or observations about your trial run.
• Record whether the ball made it into the cup or not.
• Record the final thrill score of your roller coaster model.

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• How did it go?
• What are some successes your group experienced? What are some failures?
• Which materials and features worked best for your model? Which materials and features did not work?

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Problem: Design a roller coaster that provides the most thrill for its riders.

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What went well in this lesson?

What would you like to learn more about?

What was challenging about this lesson?

Lesson and Skills Reflection

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Lesson and Skills Reflection

How did you use these skills during the lesson?

Collaboration

Communication

Creative Thinking

Critical Thinking

Curiosity

Perseverance

Self Direction

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Visit the VAI Education website to explore more

resources to promote curiosity, creativity, and

critical thinking in the classroom.

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