Roller coaster stem project

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These are all terminologies that we as parents and teachers need to get used to discussing casually with children, especially early childhood, so that they are immersed in a STEM culture of thinking. Build a roller coaster stem activity Roller coasters work on 2 types of energy: potential and kinetic. The higher the hill on which a coaster starts its run, the more potential energy it has. As the coaster moves down the track, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, or the energy of motion. Engineers use this knowledge to design coasters that thrill us with hills, dips, corkscrews, and loops. However, compared with the tops of those loops, corkscrews, and other features, the height of the first hill on a roller coaster is usually the highest so that the riders can use the potential energy gained at the beginning to carry them through the entire ride.

Building a roller coaster stem project

Real-World roller coasters: 

Have you ever ridden a roller coaster? Have you ever wanted to design your own? There are plenty of expensive toys and even video games that will let you build your own coasters—but in this project you'll make one out of paper and tape, and learn about roller coaster physics along the way! Roller Coaster STEM Challenge If you made your starting hill tall enough, and all the curves and loops of your roller coaster were gradual, your marble should have been able to get all the way to the end. However, if your coaster had any sharp turns or corners, your marble might have gotten stuck. If you tried to have your marble go up a hill or through a loop that was taller than the hill it started on, it wouldn't make it all the way through. Why not? It is all about energy! Read the Digging Deeper section to learn more about the physics behind roller coasters.

Stem roller coaster challenge