Roller Coaster, Roller Coaster
Objective:
Student will be able to use technology and review physics concepts that they have learned in the previous three weeks, and to be able to pass the unit test.
Indiana Science Standards Addressed:
5.3.11 Investigate and describe that changes in speed or direction of motion of an object are caused by forces. Understand that the greater the force, the greater the change in motion and the more massive an object, the less effect a given force will have.
4.6.3 Recognize that and describe how changes made to a model can help predict how the real thing can be altered.
Materials:
Enough computers for each student to have their own. (if it is necessary there may be two to a computer)
The computer program Roller Coaster Tycoon or Sim Coaster
Estimated Time:
It is really up to the teacher on how much time he or she wants to spend reviewing by playing a computer game, I would suggest about thirty minutes to review and fifteen minutes to process how it related to physics.
Procedure:
Part 1:
Take student to the computers with one of these programs already loaded onto it. Tell students that they are going to use this program to build a roller coaster, but as they are doing so they must be thinking about the aspects of physics that they have been learning about (motion, speed, and velocity). If they do not take these aspects into consideration they will kill people on their roller coasters. Give the students about thirty minutes to discover what one of these programs can teach them about physics.
Part 2:
Take students back to the classroom and discuss for about fifteen minutes how this activity related to physics, and what they have learned about physics in the past weeks that helped them to build a roller coaster that was safe for people to ride. Also tell them that building roller coasters is job that someone with a degree in physics or an engineer might hold.
Rationale:
This activity will allow students the opportunity to review the physics concepts that they have already learned, and to apply them in an authentic situation.