Paper Roller Coaster Challenge: Math, Physics, and Fun!

Created byTabitha Cole

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Paper Roller Coaster Challenge: Math, Physics, and Fun!

Grade 9MathEnglish21 days

In this project, students design and build a paper roller coaster, integrating mathematical principles, storytelling techniques, and business strategies. They'll apply physics concepts to predict roller coaster behavior, use storytelling to create compelling presentations, and manage project costs using business principles. The project culminates in a presentation communicating the science and engineering behind their roller coaster to a non-technical audience.

PhysicsMathematicsStorytellingEngineeringBusiness PrinciplesProject Management

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design and build a compelling paper roller coaster that effectively integrates mathematical principles, storytelling techniques, and business strategies to engage an audience and demonstrate a deep understanding of physics and engineering concepts?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

How can mathematical concepts predict the speed and trajectory of a roller coaster?
What makes a story engaging, and how can we use storytelling techniques to create a compelling presentation of our roller coaster design?
How do real-world forces affect the movement and energy of a roller coaster?
How can we use business principles to manage the costs and resources involved in building our roller coaster?
How can we effectively communicate the science and engineering behind our roller coaster to a non-technical audience?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Apply mathematical concepts to predict roller coaster behavior
Use storytelling to create compelling presentations
Explain the impact of real-world forces on roller coasters
Apply business principles to manage project costs and resources
Communicate the science and engineering behind roller coasters

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

"The Great Gravity Challenge"

Students are shown a captivating video of a complex Rube Goldberg machine culminating in a simple action. They are then challenged to design and build their own paper roller coaster contraption, incorporating specific physics principles and creative storytelling to explain the journey of their 'coaster car'."

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Forces in Motion: Physics Fieldwork

Students will analyze the impact of real-world forces on their paper roller coaster. This activity will require students to identify the different forces acting on the roller coaster car, such as gravity, friction, and momentum, and explain how these forces affect its movement and energy.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Identify the different forces acting on the roller coaster car (gravity, friction, momentum).

2. Explain how these forces affect the car's movement and energy.

3. Conduct experiments to measure the impact of friction on the coaster's speed.

4. Write a report summarizing your findings and explaining how you accounted for these forces in your design.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA report analyzing the impact of real-world forces on the paper roller coaster, including experimental data and explanations.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsExplains the impact of real-world forces on roller coasters.

Activity 2

Engineering Expo: Science Symposium

Students will prepare a presentation to communicate the science and engineering behind their roller coaster to a non-technical audience. This activity will require students to explain the mathematical and physics principles that underpin their design in a clear and accessible way.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Prepare a presentation that explains the mathematical and physics principles behind the roller coaster design.

2. Create visual aids to illustrate key concepts and processes.

3. Practice delivering the presentation to a non-technical audience, such as classmates or family members.

4. Gather feedback and revise the presentation based on audience understanding and engagement.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA compelling presentation that effectively communicates the science and engineering behind the paper roller coaster to a non-technical audience.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCommunicates the science and engineering behind roller coasters.

Activity 3

Blueprint Bonanza: Math Edition

Students will begin by creating a detailed blueprint of their paper roller coaster, focusing on the mathematical aspects of its design. This activity will require students to calculate angles, slopes, and lengths, ensuring that the coaster meets specific mathematical criteria for speed and trajectory.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Sketch a preliminary design of your roller coaster, labeling key points such as the starting height, curves, and drops.

2. Calculate the angles of all slopes and curves, ensuring they meet the necessary mathematical criteria for a smooth ride.

3. Determine the length of each section of the roller coaster and the total length of the track.

4. Use mathematical equations to predict the speed and trajectory of the roller coaster car at various points along the track.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive blueprint of the paper roller coaster, complete with detailed mathematical calculations and annotations.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsApplies mathematical concepts to predict roller coaster behavior.

Activity 4

Narrative Navigator: Storytelling Scramble

Students will develop a compelling narrative to accompany their roller coaster design. This activity will involve brainstorming story ideas, creating characters, and writing a script that explains the journey of the 'coaster car' through the roller coaster.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Brainstorm story ideas that can be integrated into the roller coaster's journey.

2. Develop characters that might interact with the coaster car during its ride.

3. Write a script that tells the story of the coaster car's journey, incorporating elements of suspense, humor, or drama.

4. Create a storyboard that visually represents key scenes from the narrative.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed script and storyboard that tells the story of the coaster car's journey through the roller coaster.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsUses storytelling to create compelling presentations.

Activity 5

Budget Blueprint: Business Brainstorm

Students will apply business principles to manage the costs and resources involved in building their roller coaster. This activity will require students to create a budget, track expenses, and find ways to minimize costs while still achieving their design goals.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Create a detailed budget for the roller coaster project, including all materials and resources.

2. Track expenses throughout the building process, noting any cost overruns or savings.

3. Identify ways to minimize costs without sacrificing the quality of the design.

4. Write a business plan that outlines the project's budget, expenses, and strategies for managing resources.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive business plan that outlines the project's budget, expenses, and strategies for managing resources.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsApplies business principles to manage project costs and resources.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Paper Roller Coaster Project Evaluation

Category 1

Mathematical Application

Assessment of students' ability to apply mathematical concepts to predict roller coaster behavior, including calculations of angles, slopes, and trajectory.

Criterion 1

Mathematical Calculations

Accuracy and detail of mathematical calculations used in roller coaster design.

Exemplary

4 Points

Calculations are thorough, precise, and demonstrate an advanced understanding of mathematical principles, consistently yielding correct predictions of speed and trajectory.

Proficient

3 Points

Calculations are mostly accurate and demonstrate a solid understanding of mathematical principles, with minor errors that do not significantly impact predictions.

Developing

2 Points

Calculations contain several errors or omissions, indicating an inconsistent understanding of mathematical principles and impacting the accuracy of predictions.

Beginning

1 Points

Calculations are incomplete or largely inaccurate, revealing minimal understanding of mathematical principles and failing to provide reliable predictions.

Criterion 2

Blueprint Quality

Quality and detail of the roller coaster blueprint, including clarity and completeness.

Exemplary

4 Points

Blueprint is highly detailed, clear, and well-organized, using precise annotations to convey comprehensive understanding of design requirements.

Proficient

3 Points

Blueprint is clear and generally complete, with minor omissions or clarity issues that do not impair understanding of design.

Developing

2 Points

Blueprint lacks detail or contains significant clarity issues, making it difficult to fully understand the design requirements.

Beginning

1 Points

Blueprint is incomplete or poorly organized, failing to clearly represent the design requirements.

Category 2

Physics and Engineering Communication

Assessment of students' ability to effectively communicate the science and engineering principles behind the roller coaster design through a presentation.

Criterion 1

Concept Explanation

Clarity and depth of explanation of physics and engineering principles in the presentation.

Exemplary

4 Points

Presentation delivers a clear, thorough, and engaging explanation of all relevant principles, demonstrating a deep understanding and ability to relate concepts to the design.

Proficient

3 Points

Presentation is clear and mostly comprehensive, covering key principles with minor omissions or simplifications.

Developing

2 Points

Presentation covers principles superficially or omits important concepts, reflecting an emerging understanding.

Beginning

1 Points

Presentation is unclear or lacks significant coverage of relevant principles, indicating minimal understanding.

Criterion 2

Audience Engagement

Effectiveness in engaging and communicating with a non-technical audience.

Exemplary

4 Points

Presentation captivates the audience with innovative visuals and engaging delivery, fostering understanding and interest in the topic.

Proficient

3 Points

Presentation effectively uses visuals and delivery to maintain audience interest, with minor engagement issues.

Developing

2 Points

Presentation attempts to use visuals or techniques to engage the audience, but is inconsistent or occasionally dull.

Beginning

1 Points

Presentation fails to engage the audience, using few or ineffective visuals and delivery techniques.

Category 3

Creative Storytelling

Assessment of students' ability to apply storytelling techniques to enhance their roller coaster presentation.

Criterion 1

Storytelling Elements

Inclusion and integration of storytelling elements (such as plot, characters, and tension) in the roller coaster script and storyboard.

Exemplary

4 Points

Script and storyboard masterfully incorporate storytelling elements, creating a compelling narrative that enhances the roller coaster design.

Proficient

3 Points

Script and storyboard effectively incorporate storytelling elements, with minor areas for enhancement.

Developing

2 Points

Script and storyboard include basic storytelling elements, but integration is inconsistent or underdeveloped.

Beginning

1 Points

Script and storyboard lack coherent storytelling elements, with minimal attempt to integrate a narrative.

Category 4

Project Management

Evaluation of students' ability to apply business principles to manage project costs and resources effectively.

Criterion 1

Budget Planning

Accuracy and completeness of budget and expense tracking, including strategies for cost management.

Exemplary

4 Points

Budget and expense tracking are thorough and accurate, with innovative strategies implemented for cost savings without sacrificing quality.

Proficient

3 Points

Budget is accurate and mostly complete, with adequate strategies for cost management in place.

Developing

2 Points

Budget includes some inaccuracies or omissions and limited strategies, impacting financial management.

Beginning

1 Points

Budget is incomplete or inaccurate, lacking effective cost management strategies, indicating minimal understanding.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

How did your understanding of physics and engineering principles evolve as you built your paper roller coaster?

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Question 2

In what ways did you apply mathematical concepts to predict and control the behavior of your roller coaster, and what challenges did you encounter in this process?

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Question 3

How did you integrate storytelling techniques into your presentation to engage your audience and effectively communicate the science and engineering behind your roller coaster?

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Question 4

What business principles did you apply to manage the costs and resources involved in building your roller coaster, and how did these principles impact your design choices?

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Question 5

What was the most significant challenge you faced during the roller coaster project, and how did you overcome it?

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Question 6

If you could rebuild your roller coaster, what is one thing you would do differently, and why?

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Question 7

To what extent do you feel you achieved the driving question: 'How can we design and build a compelling paper roller coaster that effectively integrates mathematical principles, storytelling techniques, and business strategies to engage an audience and demonstrate a deep understanding of physics and engineering concepts?'

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Question 8

How well did you collaborate with your team members during this project?

Scale

Required