Carolina Stem Challenge: Roller Coasters Kit

Grades 6-12. A Carolina Exclusive! Unleash Newton’s laws as thrill-seeking design teams explore roller coaster physics for a hands-on experience in energy transformation. Teams evaluate the descent of a small sphere (wood, glass, or steel) through loops, turns, and hills on a foam insulation track, then extend that knowledge to engineer the best structure for the class challenges of highest hill, largest loop, or maximum velocity. Use this engaging engineering activity to explain the forces behind the fun–potential and kinetic energy, energy conservation, acceleration, and laws of motion. Materials support 10 design teams. Kit includes: 15 foam pipe insulation tubes, 3/4 x 6 ft; 12 steel balls, 1/2; 14 wooden balls, 1/2; 12 marbles, 1/2; 2 rolls of 3/4-wide masking tape; teacher’s manual; and student guide.

Features

• Grades 6-12
• Explore roller coaster physics for a hands-on experience in energy transformation
• Teams evaluate the descent of a sphere through loops, turns, and hills on a foam insulation track and then extend that knowledge to engineer the best structure for class challenges of highest hill, largest loop, or max velocity
• Materials support 15 design teams.