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Q4 STEAM Roller Coaster: Process

2. Visual Learning

Strap in and get ready for the ride!

Your first challenge is to uncover the science behind roller coasters — how do these twisting, turning, soaring rides actually work? You’ll dive into cool concepts like gravity, energy, and motion. Ever wonder how a coaster climbs those giant hills without an engine or why you feel weightless at the top? It’s all about the awesome forces of physics at play. Let’s get rolling!

The Research
Work with a partner or small group of three, and learn about how roller coasters work. Each partner can use one of the following links and then share what they learned with the others.


Process

Learn about the Five-step Engineering Process. You will use it for this Roller Coater Engineering Challenge.

This is a circle diagram with the words Ask - Imagine - Plan - Create - Improve around it. In the center is a picture of a roller coaster going in a loop


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

2.Q4 VOCABULARY

2.Q4 Plan 

checklist 2.Q4 Student Checklist

2.Q4 Teacher Guide 

MITECS  Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students, and

ISTE Standards for Students

3. Knowledge Constructor
c. Curate information from digital resources using a variety of tools and methods

4. Innovative Designer
a. Know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems
b. Select and use digital tools to plan and manage a design process that considers design constraints and calculated risks
c. Develop, test and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process
d. Exhibit a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance and the capacity to work with open-ended problems

5. Computational Thinker
b. Collect data or identify relevant data sets

 

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