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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physics of Roller Coasters

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students design a roller coaster and demonstrate their knowledge of Potential and Kinetic Energy. They determine the average velocity a given marble travels on their roller coaster and apply their knowledge of various measurement systems...
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Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Roller Coaster

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Roller coasters rely on both kinetic and potential energy, but how much total energy does a roller coaster need? Scholars vary the mass of a coaster and the height of the initial hill. Graphs showing the types of energy and total energy...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Amusement Park Physics

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars conduct a series of experiments on conservation of energy and momentum. In this physics lesson, students investigate the factors affecting the period of the pendulum. They build a roller coaster and calculate the marble's...
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Activity
MENSA Education & Research Foundation

Roller Coaster Mania!

For Teachers 3rd - 10th Standards
Raise the energy level of your physical science class with this exciting hands-on activity. Applying their knowledge of kinetic and potential energy and Newton's laws of motion, young engineers use foam tubing and marbles to create...
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Activity
DiscoverE

Build a Roller Coaster

For Students 3rd - 8th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Take a Roller Coaster Ride

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Young scholars investigate how roller coasters are built. In this physics lesson, students research the laws of physics that affect roller coaster construction. Young scholars create their own roller coaster design.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ultimate Roller Coaster Contest

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explain how conservation of energy applies to roller coasters. In this physics lesson, students construct their own coasters according to a specified criteria. They make modifications to their design when necessary. 
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Activity
Anchorage School District

Roller Coaster Project

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Emerging engineers work in teams to design pipe insulation roller coasters for marbles that meet specific parameters. They are required to label along the track the areas where kinetic and potential energy are highest and lowest, where...
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Activity
Teach Engineering

Amusement Park Ride: The Ups and Downs in Design

For Teachers 7th - 8th Standards
Groups design the ultimate roller coaster by considering potential and kinetic energy. They test their designs using marbles and then go on to rate each group's design based on aesthetics, loop diameter, and cost.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roller Coaster Simulator for the Magnetic Chalkboard: Construction Plans

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students watch a demonstration that allows the teacher to show Galileo's inertia experiment and how and why the hills on roller coasters are designed as they are. The roller coaster simulator can be mounted on a magnetic chalkboard;...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physics of Roller Coasters

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students study the physics used to design today's roller coasters.  For this engineering lesson students complete several activities including designing their own roller coaster. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electricity's Attraction

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the different features of a roller coaster using an interactive website. In this physical science lesson, students explain the role of science to make this thrill ride possible. They develop a creative...
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Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Loop-the-Loop

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
What prevents a roller coaster from falling when it goes upside down? Scholars experiment with a roller coaster simulation controlling the mass of the coaster, the height of the hill, and the radius of the loop. They learn which factors...
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Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Energy Conservation Simulation

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Does the amount of a roller coaster's energy change as it goes along the track? Scholars investigate when a roller coaster has potential and kinetic energy. They observe the changes as it goes up the initial hill follows it throughout...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

May the Force Be With You

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read an article, brainstorm ideas and prepare journals investigating why people enjoy 'thrill' rides, what forces affect the body on these rides and how they can become dangerous.
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Unit Plan
Indiana Department of Education

Amusement of the Future

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Take your class on the ride of their lives! Physical science scholars get an in-depth look at potential and kinetic energies in an amusement park-themed unit. Students research, design, and promote their own amusement parks, complete...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roller Coasters in the Classroom

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students define kinetic energy and know the effects of weight and speed on momentum.  In this investigative lesson students get into groups and design a roller coaster. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ultimate Ride Coaster Deluxe

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders describe the energy transformations as cars travel over a roller coaster. They explain the principle of conservation of energy as it relates to a roller coaster ride. The integration of technology is done using educational...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Acceleration

For Teachers 8th - 10th
For this acceleration worksheet, young scholars are given an explanation of the constant acceleration of a roller coaster as it travels up, down and around. Students calculate the acceleration of a roller coaster given its original...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

May The Force Be With You

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate Newton's Laws of Motion. They use the example of a roller coaster for illustration purposes. A force associated with a roller coaster is tested, data graphed, and a conclusion is drawn. They use excel in order...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovery Science Library: The Basics Physical Science

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine  friction and gravity. affect four sports. In this scientific discovery lesson, students examine how friction and gravity affect sports. They discuss, write, and illustrate the effect of different forces on various sports.
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Catapults

For Students 4th - 8th Standards
Ready, aim, fire! Launch to a new level of understanding as scholars build and test their own catapults. Learners explore lever design and how adjusting the fulcrum changes the outcome. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Outrage the Bull

For Teachers K - 8th
Young scholars study kinetic and potential energy. In this energy lesson, students in grades K-2 understand the differences between kinetic and potential energy. Young scholars in grades 3-5 demonstrate that kinetic and potential energy....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gravity, Forces, and Inertia

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students participate in assessments involving gravity, forces, and inertia. They select from a menu of options assessments they would like to complete including worksheets, drawing posters, watching videos, creating crossword puzzles,...

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