STEM- Roller Coasters

STEM Project: Roller Coasters!

As an exciting project to coincide with our study of energy and forces, students had the opportunity to create paper roller coasters in class. Marbles were used on the coasters to demonstrate potential and kinetic energy, centrifugal force, gravitational force, acceleration and deceleration.  Students were asked to present their coasters to the class and describe all of the components. A rubric that included demonstration and application of knowledge, teamwork, and planning was used for grading.

Before we made the 3D, working coasters, students were given the following:

"Congratulations! You have been chosen to design a new roller coaster for Six Flags! Use your knowledge of energy and forces to draw, label, and present your new coaster. Don't forget to give your coaster a name!"

The final products were AWESOME!  Here are a few examples.

"Rainbow Road"

"Zip-iddy-do-dah-YAY"

"Wonderous Winder"

"The Dizzy Dome"

Students brought in materials such as cardstock paper, construction paper, toilet paper and paper towel tubes, tape, glue, and craft sticks to create their marble coasters. 

The goal was to create a marble coaster that included demonstrations of potential energy, kinetic energy, gravitational force, acceleration and deceleration. Some groups were able to create centrifugal forces through "time-wasters", cones, and even a loop!

Here are videos of 2 of the final coasters.

The students did a GREAT job and really showcased their knowledge of energy!