Physics of Roller Coasters Lab
Grades: 2-8 |
Duration: 90 minutes |
Available Times: 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on school field trip operating days *Start and end times may be flexible. Please speak to the Group Reservations specialist when booking. |
Concepts/Skills: Gravity, Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy, Engineering Design |
Discover the science and engineering behind thrill rides! Students explore kinetic and potential energy, friction and the engineering process by designing and prototyping their own roller coasters.
Lab Guide
Design a robust learning experience by selecting resources from this guide that fit the needs of your students. Reinforce learning before, after and even during your visit by diving deeper into some of the science and engineering concepts.
Lab-Related Activities
Lessons marked with an orange gear icon address engineering within the Next Generation Science Standards.
![](/media/4bdbeuup/circleofpong.png)
Circle of Pong
Grades 2-12
![](/media/2zrh0nqi/ngss-engineeringgear.png?rmode=max&width=500)
Lesson: 65 minutes
![](/media/w5sjnxsy/energyredlightgreenlight.png)
Energy Red Light, Green Light
Grades 2-4
Outdoor exercise game deepens understanding of potential and kinetic energy.
![](/media/h42lobvt/exploringchainreactions.png)
Exploring Chain Reactions
Grades 2-12
Explore stored energy, energy transfer, and simple machines while building a series of chain reactions.
Activity: 30 minutes
Lesson: Two 60-minute sessions
![](/media/sv3ldwnw/vocabboard.png)
Vocabulary Choice Board
Grades K-12
Vocabulary activities to pair with one of our labs or other STEM activities.
Lesson: 20-30 min
Physics of Roller Coasters Lab
Exhibit Connections
Make connections between learning from the lab and the exhibits and programs found in The Tech Interactive’s galleries. For more exhibit connections, see the Lab Guide above.