1
Transformation 2013 Design Challenge 5E Lesson
Title: Roller Coaster Design Contest Authored by: Michael Svetly Additional content and revisions by: Transformation 2013 Subject: Geometry Grade Level: High School
Challenge Abstract:
In this Design Challenge, students will take on the role of engineers who design roller coasters for Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The students will model the coasters using a computer simulation program and they will design, model, and test their roller coasters using concrete materials. They will learn about ratio, similarity, scale, force, and motion.
Meeting the Needs of STEM Education through Design Challenge
2
Design Challenge Title: Roller Coaster Design Contest TEKS addressed: G.2, G.4, G.5, G.11 Engage Activity Approximate time: Show the students a series of roller coaster videos using the web links below. http://roller-coaster-videos.com/thunder-dolphin.html http://roller-coaster-videos.com/space-shuttle.html http://roller-coaster-videos.com/volcano2.html http://roller-coaster-videos.com/sierra-sidewinder.html Lead a discussion with the students about roller coasters. Ask them questions like: 1. What makes a roller coaster fun? 2. Who designs roller coasters? 3. How do roller coasters work? 4. What math and science concepts are involved in the roller coaster design process? Ask the students to complete a KWL Chart about roller coasters. A link for a chart is noted below. http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/kwl.pdf Engage Activity Products/Artifacts
KWL Chart
Materials/Equipment: – Computer – LCD Projector – Internet Access – KWL Chart Resources: http://roller-coaster-videos.com/thunder-dolphin.html http://roller-coaster-videos.com/space-shuttle.html http://roller-coaster-videos.com/volcano2.html http://roller-coaster-videos.com/sierra-sidewinder.html http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/kwl.pdf
3
Explore Activity Approximate time: Provide the students with an opportunity to explore the various coaster simulation programs that are available on the Internet. Have the students record sketches of each of their coasters in their journals, along with the results of their simulations. Did the design work? Why or why not? http://en.t45ol.com/play/2435/build-your-coaster.html http://www.funderstanding.com/k12/coaster/ http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/coaster/section1.html
Present the students with the design challenge: “You have been hired by Coasters Unlimited to research the roller coasters around the world and then design a new roller coaster for Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The theme park is in search of a unique design, but it must contain at least three hills, one loop-de-loop, and one u-turn. The team of engineers with the most unique, working design will receive recognition in “American Coaster Enthusiasts” magazine and will also receive a paid vacation to any destination they choose. Are you up for the challenge?” Separate the students into groups of 4 and give them an opportunity to brainstorm and collaborate on their design. Have them sketch their ideas into their journals and star the design that they finally decide on. . Explore I Activity Journal entries of roller coaster sketches Products/Artifacts
Materials/Equipment: – Computers with Internet access – Journals – Pencils Resources: http://en.t45ol.com/play/2435/build-your-coaster.html http://www.funderstanding.com/k12/coaster/ http://www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/coaster/section1.html
4
Explain Activity Approximate time: Have the students discuss what they learned during their explorations. What types of virtual roller coasters were successful? Which ones failed and why? What makes a roller coaster work? Show the following clip: http://www.howstuffworks.com/roller-coaster.htm Discuss the physics behind the roller coaster, measurement, scale drawings, angle measurement, etc. Fill in any gaps in the students’ learning. Have the students add to their KWL chart.
Explain I Activity Products/Artifacts
KWL chart
Materials/Equipment: – Computer with Internet access – KWL chart – Pencil Resources: http://www.howstuffworks.com/roller-coaster.htm
5
Elaborate Activity Approximate time: Present the students with the design challenge. Provide each group of 4 students with the following materials: 30 sheets of oak tag (card stock), masking tape, one marble, scissors. Ask the students to come up with a design for their roller coaster, making sure that it incorporates at least three hills, one loop-de-loop, and two u-turns. They must use the marble to test their design and make modifications where necessary. Make sure that the students document in their journals the initial design and the modifications that were necessary to create a working roller coaster. Once the students have a working design, provide them with a ruler, 12 inches of string or twine, and a 27”X33” piece of paper. Have the students measure the total length (in feet) of the roller coaster using the string. Ask each student to create their own scale drawing of their team’s roller coaster, making sure that they label the drawing accurately and provide a key for their scale. Elaborate Activity Products/Artifacts
Concrete model of roller coaster (one per group), scale drawing of roller coaster (one per student)
Materials/Equipment: – 30 sheets of oak tag (card stock) per group – 1 roll of masking tape per group – 1 pair of scissors per group – 1 marble per group – 1 ruler per group – 12 inches of string or twine per group – 1 sheet of 27” X 33” piece of paper per student Resources: none
6
Evaluate Approximate time: Students will demonstrate their roller coasters for the class. They should discuss why they chose the design that they did, what modifications had to be made to make the design a success, note if they were able to meet the criteria set forth in the design challenge, and note if they were able to successfully add in additional elements to make the design even more exciting. Once each of the team’s has presented their coaster, have the students put each coaster through a series of tests. Which coaster is the fastest, the longest, the most exciting, the most detailed, etc? Provide the students with a rubric to base their analyses off of. The team with the highest score wins! Scoring example: 1 point per hill 3 points per u-turn 5 points per loop 7 points for the fastest coaster 10 points for the most exciting coaster 20 points for the most intricate design Evaluate Activity Products/Artifacts
Materials/Equipment: – Completed coasters – Journals – Pencils – Stopwatch Resources: none
Presentation, Journal entries regarding the scores of each team’s coaster