Ping Pong Roller Coaster Challenge
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a paper roller coaster that effectively demonstrates the transformation between potential and kinetic energy while ensuring both speed and safety?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How does energy transform in a roller coaster?
- How do the design choices affect the speed and safety of the roller coaster?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to design and construct a paper roller coaster using templates and a ping pong ball.
- Students will be able to analyze the relationship between design choices, speed, and safety of the roller coaster.
- Students will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of their roller coaster in terms of energy transformation, speed, and safety.
- Students will be able to communicate their design process, findings, and conclusions effectively through presentations or reports.
- Students will be able to use the roller coaster as a model to explain real-world applications of energy transformation and conservation.
- Students will be able to work collaboratively to build and test their roller coaster, fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills.
- Students will be able to iterate on their designs based on testing and feedback, improving their understanding of engineering design principles.
- Students will be able to develop critical thinking skills by analyzing and troubleshooting issues encountered during the design and testing phases.
- Students will be able to construct a paper roller coaster that effectively maintains the ping pong ball's momentum throughout the track.
- Students will be able to describe the energy transformations that occur as the ping pong ball moves from the highest point to the lowest point on the roller coaster.
- Students will be able to explain how the height of the initial drop affects the overall speed and performance of the roller coaster.
- Students will be able to identify and address safety concerns in their roller coaster design, such as preventing the ping pong ball from falling off the track.
- Students will be able to analyze and interpret data collected from multiple trials to determine the optimal design parameters for their roller coaster.
- Students will be able to compare and contrast different roller coaster designs, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
- Students will learn to collaborate effectively, sharing ideas, delegating tasks, and resolving conflicts to ensure a successful project outcome.
- Students will learn to create a functional paper roller coaster.
- Students will learn to apply the concepts of kinetic and potential energy to solve a practical problem.
- Students will learn to test a design and then refine it for better performance.
- Students will learn to present technical information clearly and concisely.
- Students will learn to document their engineering design process in a systematic way.
- Students will learn to identify variables that affect the roller coaster's performance.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Mysterious Package
The teacher unveils a mysterious package containing only paper, tape, and a ping pong ball, along with a letter from a fictional 'Energy Conservation Society.' The letter challenges students to design a roller coaster that maximizes the ping pong ball's energy throughout the ride. This approach sparks curiosity through mystery and connects the project to a broader theme of energy conservation.Amusement Park Crisis
A local amusement park announces it will be shutting down due to safety concerns with its flagship roller coaster. Students are hired as junior engineers to redesign a safer, more thrilling coaster using paper templates and a ping pong ball as a prototype. This simulates real-world problem-solving and taps into students' interest in amusement parks, setting a challenge that requires applying physics concepts to ensure safety and excitement.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Mini-Coaster Challenge
Students will design and build a small-scale roller coaster prototype, focusing on a single drop and curve. They will measure the time it takes for the ping pong ball to complete the course and observe any safety issues, like the ball falling off the track.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA functional mini-roller coaster prototype with recorded data on speed and safety, along with a written analysis of the prototype's performance and potential improvements.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to analyze the relationship between design choices, speed, and safety of the roller coaster. Learning Goal: Students will learn to apply the concepts of kinetic and potential energy to solve a practical problem. Learning Goal: Students will learn to identify variables that affect the roller coaster's performance.Redesign & Refine
Based on the data and observations from the mini-coaster challenge, students will redesign and rebuild their roller coaster to improve speed and safety. They will document the changes they make and explain why they expect those changes to improve performance.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA redesigned mini-roller coaster with a detailed log of changes made, reasons for those changes, and new performance data (speed and safety).Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to iterate on their designs based on testing and feedback, improving their understanding of engineering design principles. Learning Goal: Students will learn to test a design and then refine it for better performance. Learning Goal: Students will learn to document their engineering design process in a systematic way.The Grand Coaster Presentation
Students will construct a full-scale paper roller coaster, incorporating multiple drops, curves, and loops. They will present their final design, explaining how it demonstrates energy transformation and conservation, and addressing any safety considerations.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA fully functional paper roller coaster and a presentation/report explaining the design, its energy efficiency, and safety features.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goal: Students will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of their roller coaster in terms of energy transformation, speed, and safety. Learning Goal: Students will be able to use the roller coaster as a model to explain real-world applications of energy transformation and conservation. Learning Goal: Students will learn to present technical information clearly and concisely.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioRoller Coaster Challenge Rubric
Roller Coaster Design and Performance
Assesses the effectiveness, energy transformation explanation, redesign process, and presentation quality of the roller coaster project.Design Effectiveness
Effectiveness of the roller coaster design in maintaining the ping pong ball's momentum and achieving a balance between speed and safety.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe roller coaster design is exceptionally effective, maintaining the ping pong ball's momentum throughout the track with impressive speed and no safety issues. Demonstrates innovative design and advanced understanding of energy transformation.
Proficient
3 PointsThe roller coaster design is effective, maintaining the ping pong ball's momentum with good speed and minimal safety concerns. Demonstrates a thorough understanding of energy transformation.
Developing
2 PointsThe roller coaster design is partially effective, with some loss of momentum and noticeable safety issues. Demonstrates a basic understanding of energy transformation but needs improvement.
Beginning
1 PointsThe roller coaster design is ineffective, with significant loss of momentum and major safety concerns. Demonstrates limited understanding of energy transformation.
Explanation of Energy Transformations
Clarity and accuracy of the explanation of energy transformations (potential and kinetic energy) within the roller coaster's operation.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a sophisticated and accurate explanation of energy transformations, including insightful analysis of how potential and kinetic energy are converted throughout the roller coaster's operation. Explanation demonstrates a clear understanding of real-world applications of energy transformation and conservation.
Proficient
3 PointsProvides a clear and accurate explanation of energy transformations, describing how potential and kinetic energy are converted throughout the roller coaster's operation. Explanation includes examples of how this relates to real-world applications.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of energy transformations but may lack clarity or contain minor inaccuracies. Explanation touches on the conversion of potential and kinetic energy with some omissions.
Beginning
1 PointsProvides a limited or inaccurate explanation of energy transformations, showing minimal understanding of potential and kinetic energy. Explanation is unclear and lacks relevant details.
Redesign and Refinement
Thoroughness and effectiveness of the redesign process, including the identification of areas for improvement and the implementation of changes to enhance performance.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe redesign process is exceptionally thorough and effective, with insightful identification of areas for improvement and innovative implementation of changes that significantly enhance the roller coaster's performance. The documentation of changes and reasoning is comprehensive and well-justified.
Proficient
3 PointsThe redesign process is thorough and effective, with clear identification of areas for improvement and well-reasoned implementation of changes that enhance the roller coaster's performance. The documentation of changes and reasoning is complete and logical.
Developing
2 PointsThe redesign process is partially effective, with some identification of areas for improvement and implementation of changes that have a limited impact on the roller coaster's performance. The documentation of changes and reasoning is incomplete or unclear.
Beginning
1 PointsThe redesign process is ineffective, with minimal identification of areas for improvement and poorly implemented changes that do not enhance the roller coaster's performance. The documentation of changes and reasoning is minimal or missing.
Presentation/Report Quality
Clarity, organization, and persuasiveness of the presentation/report, including the explanation of the design, energy transformations, and safety features.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe presentation/report is exceptionally clear, well-organized, and persuasive, providing a comprehensive explanation of the design, energy transformations, and safety features. The presentation demonstrates outstanding communication skills and an advanced understanding of the project.
Proficient
3 PointsThe presentation/report is clear, well-organized, and persuasive, providing a thorough explanation of the design, energy transformations, and safety features. The presentation demonstrates effective communication skills and a solid understanding of the project.
Developing
2 PointsThe presentation/report is partially clear and organized, but may lack persuasiveness or contain omissions in the explanation of the design, energy transformations, or safety features. The presentation demonstrates basic communication skills with some areas for improvement.
Beginning
1 PointsThe presentation/report is unclear, disorganized, and lacks persuasiveness, providing an incomplete explanation of the design, energy transformations, and safety features. The presentation demonstrates limited communication skills and a poor understanding of the project.