Q4 STEAM: Roller Coaster Design & Engineering Challenge

You can change the Quiz mode to Match, Test, Learn, Flash Cards, Spell using the selection list at the bottom right of the activity that says "Choose a Study Mode." Direct Link

2. Learn about the 5-step Engineering Process  you will use for this Roller Coater Engineering Challenge.

1. ASK: What is the problem? How have others approached it? What are your constraints (such as age of the intended riders)?
2. IMAGINE: What are some solutions? Brainstorm ideas (such as number of loops, hills). Choose the best one.
3. PLAN: Draw a diagram. Make lists of materials you will need.
4. CREATE: Follow your plan and create something. Test it out!
5. IMPROVE: What works? What doesn't? What could work better? Modify your design to make it better. Test it out!

A. Check with your teacher and/or design partners, and create a note-taking document to take notes on your design decisions. Discuss and decide:

• What note-taking application will you use? (Google docs, Word, Pages, a graphic organizer, or other?)
• Will one partner take the notes or each person take turns
• Will the note taking document be a shared document you can all edit?

B. Use this Design a Roller Coaster web site for this activity.

C. Select the height and shape of the first hill, an exit path, height of the second hill, and create a loop. Below is a screenshot of a design that received two thumbs down for safety and fun. Can you create a design that gets thumbs up?

D. Imagine: What are some of the key concepts based on your research about applying the physics of kinetic and potential energy to create a safe and fun roller coaster?

Answer the following questions in your note-taking document using the vocabulary terms (Potential and kinetic energy, energy loss, friction, mass, velocity, gravity):

1. Will you start your  coaster with a low or higher hill? Explain why.
   
2. What type of shape will be both safe and give the feeling of "weightlessness" for a thrilling experience (Smooth slope, angled slope or obtuse slope?
   
3. When exiting the first hill what type of path will give the coaster maximum energy for the next hill?
   
4. For the second hill, will there be enough energy to get to the top and over it? Will it create enough energy to do a loop?
   
5. Will you have a loop, and if so what type will be safe?
   

Drawing: Have someone in your group draw what your coaster will look like using your choices of the five design options from above and indicate the height or length of each part.

You are now ready for the Step 4 to try out your design ideas.

1. Your challenge is to apply what you have learned about potential and kinetic energy and try to complete a successful and safe coaster run making changes to the options as you go through the test runs. Remember to refer to your notes document in Step 3 as you plan and carry out your trial tests.

2. Open, copy or download, and complete the four-part Coaster Testing Document.

3. One team member should open this Design a Roller Coaster website and select the BEGIN button to step through your planned design.

4. At the end when you will receive a report with a thumbs up or down.  Fill this in your coaster testing document. Select "Your Safety Inspection" on the last step to learn from the experts about your coaster design.

(Note this interactive only provides a report and no longer functions to show your coaster run). See the interactive ones in the next content block.

Reflection: Can you improve your design? Change some of your design and complete two more design trials and document your choices and the results.

STEP 5. This is a new activity for 2020.

1. Watch the introduction in the simulations below and then select the arrow and text to GO TO SIM and in the following simulation lets you change some of the elements to test your design knowledge.
Note: The CK12 site may require you to signin using a Google or Microsoft account. The content is free to use.

Click the link below for the virtual activity

Link to the webpage

Link to the app version: CK12 Site URL

2. Loop the Loop Challenge. Will your coaster fall off on the loop or have enough force to make it through the loop and get to the end safely?

Select the link below for this coaster challenge

Link to the webpage

Link to the app: CK12 site URL

When you have finished your coaster activity in Step 4 ASK yourselves the following and write it up in your note taking document:

1. How did the six different elements that you had to consider impact the success of your coaster?

2. Describe the effects of potential and kinetic energy in both successful and unsuccessful attempts in the design of the coaster.

3. Describe how the use of the simulation helped you learn about potential and kinetic energy.

*Be sure to use spell and grammar check on your document, include an image of your best coaster.

Check with your teacher on how to turn in your

• Note Taking Document,
• your drawing
• your  Coaster Testing document.

STEPS for the Build One - Engineering Challenge:
 

TEAM: Form small design teams of three to four classmates.

GOAL: Your team will apply knowledge of the design process and how potential and kinetic energy work together to build a successful coaster model.
 

1. At your first team meeting, read over the grading rubric for the roller coaster engineering challenge

2. Analyze team member strengths by sharing personal expertise and interest areas such as: Internet research, a good scavenger for materials needed, good design visionary, good assembler, good sketcher, good team leader to keep things on task, good note taker

3. Identify a team note-taker to make a copy of this real roller coaster team planning document and share it online with team members, or print it out

4. Look for the green highlighted  ⭆ arrows. Begin to fill out part two adding ideas and team member names as they volunteer

5. Make a drawing in step three and meet with your teacher for approval to begin construction and gathering materials. Modify the team planning chart if needed.

6. Once approved, begin work to construct your coaster.

7. Begin the test runs and document it in your real roller coaster team planning document. Complete all of the trial runs making changes and improvements as needed.

8. Review the grading rubric for the roller coaster engineering challenge and make any changes needed before you turn your team planning document and roller coaster work into your teacher.

9. Write a CONCLUSION REPORT - Create a three-minute project report using any technology process the team selects and include some video and/or still images. Have a team discussion with each partner contributing to an analysis answering the following questions.

• Did I/we meet my/our learning goal(s) at the top of the real roller coaster team planning document?

• What are some good decisions and steps we took to solve specific problems with the design and construction?