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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tubularastic Roller Coaster

For Teachers 3rd
Students observe the effect of gravity on objects. They use tubing and other materials to simulate a roller caster. Afterward, they create a journal to write their observations and summaries.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ultimate Roller Coaster Contest

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students 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. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design Your Own Rollercoaster

For Teachers 5th
Here is a physics lesson that your 5th graders should love. They explore the physics behind roller coasters by viewing roller coaster simulations online. Then, they work in pairs in order to design their own roller coasters and track....
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roller Coaster Physics

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students design a roller coaster that allows a marble to run the course as fast as possible. Students create an experimental roller coaster taking into account the steepness of the hills and the sharpness of the turns. Students use a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rockin Roller Coaster

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students discuss gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, and the relationship between potential and kinetic energy. They create a working roller coaster from provided materials and criteria then evaluate each roller coaster. They...
Lesson Plan
University of California

Marble Rollercoasters

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Don't let your classes coast through school! Engage them in their learning as they build their own roller coasters to study potential and kinetic energy. Young scholars complete several challenges that require them to consider the...
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. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roller Coaster Robot

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners calculate the area under a curve. In this calculus lesson plan, students use Riemann sums to find and approximate the area under a curve. They use the derivative and differential equations to solve.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elements of Physics: Energy And Work

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the difference between potential and kinetic energy.  In this energy lesson students view a video and apply these energies to real world situations. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Up and Down We Go

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore physics concepts such as velocity, acceleration and speed to create a model of a safe roller coaster. They design and conduct a lab to demonstrate the properties of an object fired horizontally and at an angle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Forces and Newton's Three Laws

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students watch demonstrations of forces and Newton's Three Laws. In this forces lesson, students watch four demonstrations and complete the associated worksheets associated with Newton's Laws. There is a PowerPoint that can be accessed...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Outrage the Bull

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

Newton Gets Me Moving

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss Newton's laws of motion. The conduct motion experiments by building "Newton Rocket Cars" from assorted materials. They propel the cars with rubber bands and wooden blocks and record the distance traveled on data sheets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Falling Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students drop water from different heights to demonstrate the conversion of water's potential energy to kinetic energy. They see how varying the height from which water is dropped affects the splash size. In seeing how falling water can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measure for Measure: Weight and Energy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the friction of a particular sport.  In this weight and energy lesson students choose a sport and us the Internet to research it then present their findings to the class.