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5th Grade
- Project
- 1 week
Roller Coaster Physics: Ride the Force!
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to design and construct a small-scale roller coaster model that showcases the principles of force and motion. You will engage in hands-on experimentation by testing different roller coaster configurations, documenting your observations, and refining your design based on scientific principles. This project aims to deepen your understanding of physics while fostering creativity and collaboration, culminating in a safe and enjoyable model for your school community to explore.
Learning goals
Explore and apply the principles of force and motion by designing and constructing a small-scale roller coaster model. Investigate how variations in height and angle influence speed and motion, and document your observations in a science journal. Collaborate with peers and community partners to enhance your understanding of physics and ensure your design is both safe and engaging for the school community.
Standards
- NGSS - 5-PS2-1: Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.
- NGSS - 3-5-ETS1-1: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
- NGSS - 5-PS2-1: Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.
Products
Create a detailed sketch of your roller coaster design, highlighting key features such as loops, ramps, and turns. Construct a small-scale model using materials like cardboard, plastic tubing, and tape to test the physics principles in action. Compile a science journal documenting your observations and adjustments during the testing phase. Prepare a presentation to share your design process, findings, and final roller coaster model with the school community, emphasizing how you addressed the challenge question.
Launch
Kick off your roller coaster project by visiting the Exploratorium in San Francisco, where you can interact with exhibits that demonstrate force and motion principles. Engage in hands-on activities that explore gravity, friction, and acceleration, sparking curiosity and inspiration for your own roller coaster design. Use this experience to brainstorm initial ideas for your model and discuss how these scientific concepts can be applied to ensure safety and fun in your project.
Exhibition
Organize a Roller Coaster Showcase where you present your models to classmates, teachers, and invited guests from the Exploratorium. Set up interactive stations where visitors can test the roller coaster designs and engage with your science journals to learn about your findings. Facilitate a gallery walk to collect feedback on the creativity, scientific principles, and safety of each design. Conclude with a reflection session where you discuss what you learned and how you might improve your designs.
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Discover: Exploratorium Visit - Engage in hands-on activities to explore gravity, friction, and acceleration at the Exploratorium to spark ideas for your roller coaster design (60 min)
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Discover: Reflective Circle - Share insights and personal connections from the Exploratorium visit, discussing how these concepts can be applied to your roller coaster project (30 min)
Examine: Question Generation - Generate questions about the challenge and potential solutions to deepen your understanding of force and motion principles (30 min)
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Examine: Text and Video Research - Collaboratively read texts and watch videos to build background knowledge on roller coaster physics and design criteria (30 min)
Examine: Seminar Discussion - Participate in a seminar-style discussion to explore diverse perspectives and refine your understanding of successful roller coaster designs (30 min)
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Engineer: Hypothesis Development - Develop a hypothesis predicting the outcome of your roller coaster design, using evidence to frame it logically (20 min)
Engineer: Design Planning - Create a detailed plan outlining how you will build, test, and refine your roller coaster model, specifying materials and methods (40 min)
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Engineer: T.A.G. Feedback Session - Share your plan with peers, receive Tell, Ask, Give feedback, and use it to improve your roller coaster design strategy (30 min)
Engineer: Build, Test, and Improve - Begin constructing your roller coaster model, testing sections to observe effects of height and angle on motion, documenting findings (30 min)
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| Deliverables |
1. Create a detailed sketch of your roller coaster design, highlighting key features such as loops, ramps, and turns.
2. Construct a small-scale roller coaster model using materials like cardboard, plastic tubing, and tape. 3. Compile a science journal documenting your observations and adjustments during the testing phase. |
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| Preparation |
1. Gather materials including cardboard, plastic tubing, tape, marbles or small balls, rulers, and markers for sketching and model construction.
2. Arrange a visit or virtual session with the Exploratorium in San Francisco to explore exhibits on force and motion. 3. Prepare science journals with sections for hypothesis, observations, data collection, and reflections. 4. Develop a rubric to evaluate roller coaster designs based on creativity, understanding of physics principles, and safety considerations. |
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