Rollin’ n Coastin’ into Physics

A WebQuest for 5th Grade Science

Introduction

Imagine the feelings you experience when riding on roller coasters. You can experience the same feelings as you design and build your own roller coaster. You have now entered the Rollin’ n Coastin’ zone. As a team of engineers you will discover the history and laws that govern roller coasters.

Task

Each team of engineers will design and build a working model of a roller coaster.

Process

1. Each team is responsible for researching and building a working model of a roller coaster.

2. Each team member will need to choose one of the following jobs:

~ Historian: will research the history of roller coasters.

~ Journalist: will record all information needed to complete daily tasks.

~ Engineer: will research designs of roller coasters.

~ Safety Coordinator: will research safety guidelines.

3. Each team will record daily journal entries which may include facts, materials, safety issues, answers to specific daily questions, and sketches or photos of ideas and designs for the model.

4. During science class you will log onto the following links to complete all assignments.

5. The students will record the important vocabulary in their journal using the Amusement Park Physics Glossary website: http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/glossary.html.

6. Answer the following questions using the following links:

~ Does a roller coaster have an engine? Explain why or why not.

~ How does the roller coaster ride smoothly?

~ Explain the differences between a wooden and a steel roller coaster.

~ Describe the first roller coaster.

~ Where and when was the first roller coaster built?

~ When and where was the first true roller coaster in America?

Amusement Park Physics
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/coaster.html

Roller Coaster History
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/coaster2.html

Free Fall
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/freefall.html

How Things Work
http://howthingswork.virginia.edu

7. Begin researching the following links to help you design and build a working model of a roller coaster.

Design a Roller Coaster
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/coaster/

Discovery Channel High Speed
http://www.discovery.com/highspeed/highspeed.html

National Geographic Roller Coaster Blasters
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/world/0107/coaster/index.html

8. Design and build a working model of a roller coaster. Your design must include:

2 declines
2 curves
1 inversion
1 spiral
must come to a safe stop

Evaluation

The students will be evaluated using the following rubric.

http://rubistar.4teachers.org/view_rubric.php3?id=304795

Conclusion

You have finished the ultimate experience of building a roller coaster. Imagine yourself standing in line at the Judge Roy Scream. Write a reflection in your journal that summarizes how the experience will be different after studying and building your own design.

Credits & References

Déjà Vu (Super Invertigo) coaster photograph http://www.joyrides.com/sfgam/full/deja_vu2.htm

The Judge Roy Scream coaster photograph http://www.joyrides.com/sfot/full/judge_roy_scream2.htm

Please visit The WebQuest Page and the Design Patterns.

We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL.

Last updated on 07/02/2002 Based on a template from The WebQuest Page