Coaster Camp: Roller Coaster Engineering & Simple Machines

Taught by a roller coaster engineer, this innovative five-lesson course will lead students to discover the power of simple machines as the backbone of designing and building roller coasters! Through our exploration of the science behind the six simple machines – from the mighty lever to the versatile pulley – students will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the fundamental principles that guide the mechanical design of various ride systems.  These systems will include lift hills, drops, launch mechanisms, restraints, coaster trains, support columns, track construction, and more!  Learners will travel to Disney World, Cedar Point, Six Flags, Universal Studios, and a host of other popular parks from Asia, Europe, and Africa to see how simple machines enable roller coasters to offer thrills for all humanity!  The class will include interactive games, engaging visual presentations, video clips, and multisensory instruction designed to nurture an enthusiasm for STEM and a joyful appreciation for the engineering behind our favorite thrill-ride experiences.  For class projects, students will enjoy the opportunity to use their knowledge in designing their own rides and ride components!

To summarize, each session will focus on a specific simple machine, ride systems where that simple machine can be found, and feature roller coasters from countries around the world:

Session 1:  The Lever

•	Review the exciting variety of roller coasters that exist.
•	Highlight the instructor’s background and experience as a coaster engineer.
•	Introduce the three types of levers.
•	Explore the way levers are used in roller coaster restraint systems.
•	Feature roller coasters from Six Flags and Cedar Point amusement parks.
•	Students will be given guidance for their roller coaster design projects.

Session 2:  The Inclined Plane

•	Play an interactive coaster trivia game.
•	Introduce the science of the inclined plane.
•	Explore the special ways that Disney World uses inclined planes on rides. 
•	Discover a unique application of an inclined plane for a ride on top of a skyscraper.
•	Discuss common misconceptions about the inclined plane.
•	Feature roller coasters in Taiwan and Japan.
•	Students will be given guidance for their roller coaster design projects.

Session 3:  The Pulley

•	Play an interactive game to review concepts from prior lessons.
•	Introduce the physics and mechanical design of the pulley.
•	Discover applications of the pulley in launch systems and lift hills at Cedar Point.
•	Feature roller coasters in Saudi Arabia and the United States.
•	Students will be given guidance for their roller coaster design projects.

Session 4:  The Wheel & Axle

•	Play an interactive game to review concepts from prior lessons.
•	Introduce the wheel & axle simple machine.
•	Study the way wheels & axles are used in the design of roller coaster trains.
•	Detail specific coaster wheel assembly mechanisms.
•	Play an interactive game to reinforce newly learned technical design concepts.
•	Feature roller coasters from England, Finland, and Universal Studios (USA).
•	Students will be given guidance for their roller coaster design projects.

Session 5:  The Screw and The Wedge; Student Project Presentations

•	Play an interactive review game.
•	Introduce the screw and its various applications in roller coaster construction
•	Explore applications of the screw in support columns, tracks, and coaster trains.
•	Introduce the wedge and the intriguing ways it is used in coaster train design.
•	Feature roller coasters from South Africa, Singapore, and Canada.
•	Students will have the opportunity to present one of their coaster design projects.
•	Design projects will include technical explanations of the simple machines utilized.

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