Roller Coaster Design

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This activity (on page 3 of the PDF under GPS: Roller Coaster Design Activity) is a full inquiry investigation into g-force and acceleration. Groups of learners will construct their own accelerometers. Then, with permission from their local amusement park, they will ride a roller coaster with their homemade accelerometers repeatedly to make g-force readings at select portions of the track. Relates to linked video, DragonflyTV GPS: Roller Coaster Design.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
1 to 7 days
Estimated Materials Cost:
$5 - $10 per student
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Field Trip
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Mechanical Engineering
    • Technology
      • Transportation
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
      • Data Representation
    • Measurement
      • Units of Measurement
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Gravity
      • Momentum and Velocity
      • Acceleration
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Outdoor Activity
  • Transportation

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • be mobile
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • DragonflyTV

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Twin Cities Public Television, Inc., 2006

Funding Source:

  • National Science Foundation, 515566