Roller Coaster Design Challenge

In this exercise, created by Anna Jensen, students take part in a roller coaster design challenge. As part of the challenge, students will attempt to optimize ride time and thrills for the prospective rider while also trying to keep costs reasonable. The exercise, designed with the intention of bringing an engineering design challenge into the classroom, has five different design criteria that must be optimized to win the challenge. Students must also build a working scale model of their design. To complete and eventually present their designs, students must master the concepts of forces, momentum, energy, and fiction. 

Students will work in groups to create a roller coaster that meets design criteria concerning Thrill Factor (vertical loops, turns, and hills), Theme (creativity and aesthetics), Length of Ride (ride must be at least thirty seconds long), Ride Safety (students must prove that their coaster will not injure riders) and Design Cost (students will be asked to list and price all materials used in the construction of their coaster). Upon completion of the project, students will be asked to present their models to "representatives from the amusement park," and defend choices made in the construction of their coaster. The end goal of this lesson is to address motion and forces, and the abilities of technological design.

A PowerPoint with further information regarding the project may be downloaded, alongside a memo introducing the roller coaster challenge (which is available in either PDF or Word format).