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.

Circle of Pong

Grades 2-12

Use knowledge of energy and forces to place a ball in the center of a 6 foot diameter circle. Iterate through this design challenge, to gain first-hand experience using the Innovation Design Process.

Lesson: 65 minutes

Energy Red Light, Green Light

Grades 2-4

Outdoor exercise game deepens understanding of potential and kinetic energy.

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

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.

  • Science on a Roll: Ball Machine

    (outside of Park Ave. entrance)

    Witness an elaborate demonstration of the transfer of energy in motion.

  • The Innovator

    Design a heart-pounding roller coaster by customizing hills, dips, and thrills. Try out the many possible combinations of customizations before settling on a final design to experience at our coaster simulation station.

  • Just Wing It

    Learn about the properties of flight by creating and testing flying contraptions! From shark fins to glider wings, discover which shapes and forms are most aerodynamic and can create lift.

Standards Connections

Next Generation Science Standards  
Grades Engineering Design
 Disciplinary Core Ideas Crosscutting Concepts Science and Engineering Practices
2 K-2-ETS1-1 K-2-ETS1-2 K-2ETS1-3 ETS1.A ETS1.B ETS1.C Cause and Effect Structure and Function 1, 2, 4
3 3-PS2-2

3-5-ETS1-1 3-5-ETS1-2 3-5-ETS1-3

PS2.A
PS2.B
PS3.A

ETS1.A ETS1.B ETS1.C

 Patterns
Cause and Effect Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World		 1, 3, 6
4 4-PS3-1
4-PS3-2
4-PS3-4

3-5-ETS1-1 3-5-ETS1-2 3-5-ETS1-3		 PS3.A
PS3.B

ETS1.A ETS1.B ETS1.C		 Energy and Matter Influence of Engineering, Technology, and Science on Society and the Natural World 1, 3, 6
5 5-PS2-1

3-5-ETS1-1 3-5-ETS1-2 3-5-ETS1-3		 PS2.B

ETS1.A ETS1.B ETS1.C		 Cause and Effect Energy and Matter 1, 3, 6, 7
6-8 MS-PS3-2 MS-PS3-5

MS-ETS1-1 MS-ETS1-2 MS-ETS1-3 MS-ETS1-4		 PS3.A
PS3.B

ETS1.A ETS1.B ETS1.C		 Energy and Matter Structure and Function 1, 2, 4, 7