Buccaneer Theme Park

Click the photo above for video!

Designed by Jeff Greer

Cowboy Coasters Everywhere

Homework & Project Discussion

Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion


Introduction

Mr. Buck A. Neer with Buccaneer Enterprises of Austin, TX has decided to develop a new thrill ride at his Buccaneer Theme Park. He would like to build the most exciting roller coaster in Texas. Since Texas always has the biggest and the best, he wants the Cowboy Roller Coaster to be the biggest and fastest attraction available, anywhere in the world.

Mr. Neer would like my science classes to design several roller coaster projects and submit them to him for approval and selection. To accomplish these designs, you must first understand "Energy, Motion, and Forces" and how they affect roller coaster operation. Please move on to the Task phase of the project to see his specifications and design goals.

Good Luck! Mr. Greer

Task

Your task is to create a working model of the Cowboy Roller Coaster using what you have learned in this web quest. You will find out how roller coasters work and use this information to build a simple model of a roller coaster. You will learn about roller coaster design, laws of motion, velocity, and acceleration.

You will design your roller coaster model using a wheeled cart (or something comparable) as a coaster car. The track should be made out of suitable material to simulate a modern roller coaster as much as possible. The model should be stable enough that the simulation can be operated easily with little instruction. Be creative. As with real world roller coasters, the WOW factor is an important consideration. Bonus point will be awarded for utilizing recycled materials. If possible, try not to purchase materials especially for this project.

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Resources

Vist this site to learn about the physics of rides at amusement parks, particularly roller coasters, free fall rides, bumper cars, and more. Click on the roller coaster, then scroll down and click on the design a roller coaster to find out how physical laws affect ride design.
At this site you can learn about kinetic energy and potential energy, the kinds of energy at work in roller coasters. Click on loops and turns to see what laws of motion are involved in these design features.
Visit this site to design a roller coaster by manipulating the height of the hills, sizes of the loops, speed of the coaster, and mass of the coaster on an interactive screen. This is a fun site, but it takes a while to load.
At this site you can learn all about the physics behind roller coaster design. Scroll down to find an experiment in which you can design and build a model roller coaster.
Read the directions and cont how many tries it takes you to hit the target.
Play skydive and start at "climb" and see how many tries it takes you to land safely.
Complete the experiment. What did you learn that can help you in the construction of your coaster?
This is a fun site. You can thank Jace for contributing this link.

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Process

After you have completed your Internet research, you can begin to design and build your roller coaster model. Design the model, list the materials that you will need, then collect the materials and build your roller coaster track. Remember, recycling and conservation are design goals. What material are you going to use to simulate the roller coaster track? It should be flexible enough so that you can include hills, turns, and possibly loops in your design. What item are you going to use for the coaster itself? Make sure that the item has enough mass to build up speed as it goes down the track. Remember, a model doesn't always work exactly the same way as the real thing, so don't be discouraged if your design has some flaws. Use the scientific and engineering method refine and improve your initial design. Keep notes in your science journal. You probably will not need to include the initial hill where the roller coaster is pulled up in your design. Assume that the coaster is already at the top of the first hill. Do not include any kind of motor in your design. When the track is finished, test your design by placing the coaster at the top of the first hill and letting go. You should not have to push the coaster. Did your coaster come out at the end of the track? If not, adjust the track and try again. When you have completed your trials, prepare a report. In the report, draw the final design and include several paragraphs describing the reasons for your design choices. It is very important to include any changes that had to be made to improve the coaster's performance.

Note: The coaster must be a car or cart with wheels. It can not be a "BB", marble, steel ball, or ball bearing. The entire project must fit easily through a classroom door. No motors will be allowed. The project should not be a commercial roller coaster model. Use creativity, the scientific method, and engineering principles as a guide.

Each project group should use the Far Out Science private discussion forum for communications when you are unable to get together. It is a great place to share ideas. Each lab group has a private area for discussion. Only group members are allowed to visit the site.

This project will count as two major grades. The coaster will count as a lab grade and the research/engineering report will count as a test grade.

If you work with a group, you should keep the total number of members to four or less.

  • Possible member duties include:
    • Research - Gather information on topics that you need to complete the coaster project and report. You may use the resources section of this site or you may find your own.
    • Materials - Locate and gather materials for your coaster. Make sure that the materials for your coaster are safe, accessible, and practical. Remember, recycle and conserve as much as possible.
    • Scheduling - Create a schedule for your group to follow. Keep in mind that each member will have to go through the quest which will require internet time. Write down deadlines for things like when the quest needs to be completed, when the presentation needs to be started/finished, when coaster materials are needed...
    • Design - Test out the ideas that the group has regarding the materials you plan to use for your roller coaster. Keeping in mind cost (minimal) and how easy it will be to get the materials (recycle and reuse).
    • Documentation - Take notes throughout the entire project. Your notes must contain information on what was learned in the quest so you and group members can refer back to them. Stating a journal at the beginning of the project is a great idea.
    • Powerpoint Design - Gater input from the group and design a presentation. Your group should agree on how many slides, links, and graphics will be used in your presentation.

Be sure to include a report that describes the motion of your coaster car and how Newton's Laws of Motion, Force, and Energy affect it's behavior.

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Grading Rubric (20 Points Possible + Optional Bonus Points)

  • Research
    • 4. Accurate information taken from several sources in a systematic manner (At least two library books)
    • 3. Accurate information taken from two sources in a systematic manner (At least one library book)
    • 2. Accurate information taken from a couple of sources but not systematically.
    • 1. Information gathered in a less than systematic manner
  • Coaster Design
    • 4. Coaster design is rugged and stable. The coaster makes it through three or more hills and turns without stopping or leaving the track.
    • 3. Coaster design is rugged and stable. The coaster makes it through at least two hills and turns without stopping or leaving the track.
    • 2. Coaster design is rugged and stable. The coaster requires no more than one instance of assistance to complete the track layout.
    • 1. The coaster is operational but barely. It requires multiple instances of assistance to complete the layout.
  • Modification and Testing
    • 4. Clear evidence of troubleshooting, testing, and refinements based on data or scientific principles
    • 3. Clear evidence of troubleshooting, testing, and refinements
    • 2. Some evidence of troubleshooting, testing, and refinements
    • 1. Almost no evidence of testing and refinement
  • Materials
    • 4. Creative use of recycled materials. Use of commercial design not evident.
    • 3. Made from mostly recycled materials. Creativity evident.
    • 2. Creative but made from mostly new materials.
    • 1. Almost entirely built from a pre-fabricated model.
  • Documentation
    • 4. Clear presentation of Newton's Laws and their relationship to the coaster and its operation.
    • 3. A clear understanding of Newton's Laws but only some linkage to the coaster and its operation.
    • 2. An understanding of Newton's Laws but not linked to the coaster operation.
    • 1. Minimal research and documentation of Newton's Laws.
  • Presentation (Optional)
    • 4. Clearly demonstrates coaster project, includes explanations of Newton's Laws
    • 3. Clearly demonstrates coaster project, some explanations of Newton's Laws
    • 2. Interesting demonstration but little use of Newton's Laws.
    • 1. Little effort demonstrated.
  • Wow! Factor
    • 4. Exceptionally unique and creative
    • Example: Power Point Presentation

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Conclusion

In the process of completing this Coaster Quest, you have become knowledgeable about the physical laws governing roller coaster design, the differences between potential and kinetic energy, and how different variables affect roller coaster design. You have developed high order thinking and problem solving skills as you have planned, designed, and built a simulated roller coaster. You have tested your design, written a report and displayed your design in class. How does your roller coaster compare to the other system built by the other groups in your class and the other classes?

Texas TEKS

Texas Tech EDIT 5341 Assignment 6

Introduction | Task | Resources | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion


Page last modified on October 20, 2009, at 02:38 PM