Physics of Roller Coasters Lab
Physics of Roller Coasters Lab
Discover the science and engineering behind thrill rides, with our hands-on labs specifically designed for different grade levels! Check below for how this lab is differentiated for a range of grade levels.
Grades 2-3:
Young engineers will focus on data collection to inform the best design for their simple coaster. Working as a team they will explore the engineering process including designing, prototyping and iterating.
Grades 4-6:
Students explore kinetic and potential energy, friction and the engineering process by designing and prototyping their own roller coasters.
Grades 7-8:
Middle school students will build their roller coaster prototypes, then use math and physics concepts to determine the kinetic and potential energy of their designs
Lab Guide
Design a robust learning experience by selecting resources from this guide that fit the needs of your students. Reinforce learning before, after and even during your visit by diving deeper into some of the science and engineering concepts.
Lab-Related Activities
Lessons marked with an orange gear icon address engineering within the Next Generation Science Standards.
Circle of Pong
Grades 2-12
Lesson: 65 minutes
Energy Red Light, Green Light
Grades 2-4
Outdoor exercise game deepens understanding of potential and kinetic energy.
Exploring Chain Reactions
Grades 2-12
Explore stored energy, energy transfer, and simple machines while building a series of chain reactions.
Activity: 30 minutesLesson: Two 60-minute sessions
Vocabulary Choice Board
Grades K-12
Vocabulary activities to pair with one of our labs or other STEM activities.
Lesson: 20-30 min
Physics of Roller Coasters Lab
Exhibit Connections
Make connections between learning from the lab and the exhibits and programs found in The Tech Interactive’s galleries. For more exhibit connections, see the Lab Guide above.
- Science on a Roll: Ball Machine (outside of Park Ave. entrance) Witness an elaborate demonstration of the transfer of energy in motion.
- The Innovator Design a heart-pounding roller coaster by customizing hills, dips, and thrills. Try out the many possible combinations of customizations before settling on a final design to experience at our coaster simulation station.
- Innovation in Bloom Launch balls into the air and watch them race through winding tubes, past blooming flowers and playful local animals. At the bottom, build your own ball tracks and team up with friends to trigger a giant brainstorm of balls cascading down in an epic finale.