Roller Coasters: Past/Present/Future

Inquiry Questions:

1) When were roller coasters invented? What were the first roller coasters?

2) How do roller coasters work? What innovations (or mechanical designs) make roller coasters possible?

3) Describe the different types of roller coasters. What makes each one unique?

4) What are the most famous roller coasters in history? What are the most extreme roller coasters?

5) Explain the effects of roller coasters on our bodies. Why do you feel what you feel?

6) What accidents have happened on roller coasters? Why?

Bonus: What is the future of the roller coaster?

INFORMATION SEEKING:

Websites:

http://www.school.eb.com Encyclopedia Britannica Online - Type "Roller Coaster"
http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/history/
http://science.howstuffworks.com/roller-coaster.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_coaster (Remember: Wikipedia isn’t always accurate!)
http://www.rcdb.com Roller Coaster Database

Interactives (use these to help you answer question #2):

http://www.funderstanding.com/k12/coaster (use “topics” to help you understand the physics behind your coaster design)
http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster
http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/knowhow/knowhow_coaster.html Launching a coaster WITHOUT a launch hill!

Video

www.teachersdomain.org/resources/phy03/sci/phys/mfw/roller/index.html
http://www.kendenton.org/COASTERS/VIDEO/index.html Coaster video samples

PRESENT INFORMATION:

Work with your group to create a 5-minute presentation answering the assigned questions. Provide a visual (PowerPoint, poster, models, etc.). Please follow the guidelines for presenting.

EVALUATE:

Project Rubric
CATEGORY	4 (20 pts.)	3 (15 pts.)	2 (10 pts.)	1 (5 pts.)	Possible Points	Total Points
Content	Student answers inquiry questions thoroughly and includes specific details and interesting information.	Student answers inquiry questions and includes detail.	Student answers most inquiry questions and includes some detail.	Student answers some inquiry questions. Does not include enough detail.	20
Comprehension	Student is able to accurately answer almost all questions posed by teacher and classmates about the topic.	Student is able to accurately answer most questions posed by teacher and classmates about the topic.	Student is able to accurately answer a few questions posed by teacher and classmates about the topic.	Student is unable to accurately answer questions posed by teacher and classmates about the topic.	20
Preparedness and Participation	Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.	Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.	The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.	Student does not seem at all prepared to present.	20
Preparedness and Participation	Student stays completely focused on project during class time.	Student stays focused on project during class time.	Student is mostly focused on project during class time.	Student is off-task during class time.	20
Use of Information	Student creatively uses quality information sources, cites sources completely, and does not plagiarize.	Student uses information sources, cites sources, and does not plagiarize.	Student uses some information sources, but presentation is mostly opinion. Student cites some sources. Student does not plagiarize.	Student does not make use of quality information sources. Presentation is mostly opinion, and no sources are cited. Student does not plagiarize.	20
Visual	Student creates an exciting visual aid that fully answers questions. Visual aid is organized, neat, and informative.	Student creates a visual aid that answers questions. Visual aid is organized and informative.	Student creates a visual aid that answers questions. Visual aid is informative.	Student creates a visual aid, but is not focused on answering questions.	20
TOTAL POINTS					100