Eighth Graders Create Roller Coasters in Science

For a culminating project, the Eighth grade girls created roller coasters out of pipe insulation and duct tape in Science Lab.

“The roller coasters had to include a hill, a loop, a turn and a thrill factor, such as a jump,” said Middle School Science Teacher, Mrs. Duke.  “Coasters were also named and decorated.”

Students used what they learned during the third trimester to calculate velocity, acceleration, force in Newtons, potential energy and kinetic energy of their marble.

“The girls had to present their roller coasters and “sell” it to their classmates, a group of engineers,” said Mrs. Duke.  “With their customary enthusiasm, groups used props, costumes, and music in their lively presentations. They did a great job!”