Paper Roller Coasters

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

4

Overview

In this activity, students will work in groups of four to construct a paper roller coaster that will test their knowledge of potential and kinetic energy. Groups will use a roller coaster cardstock template provided by the teacher, along with scissors, tape, etc. Students can add loops, hills, and curves in their designs to increase the speed of the falling marble. Once construction is complete, the groups will test their design by releasing a marble from the top of the roller coaster. This activity can be used as a culminating lesson to assess students’ understanding of the relationship between the speed of an object to the energy of that object.

This learning activity was created as a result of the Girls Engaged in Math and Science (GEMS) Resource Development Project, in partnership with Dothan City Schools.

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
Science (2015) Grade(s): 4

SC15.4.1

Use evidence to explain the relationship of the speed of an object to the energy of that object.

UP:SC15.4.1

Vocabulary

  • Construct
  • Evidence
  • Energy
  • Explanation
  • Relative speed
  • Phenomenon

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Motion can indicate the energy of an object.
  • The observable impact of a moving object interacting with its surroundings reflects how much energy can be transferred between objects and therefore relates to the energy of the moving object.
  • The faster a given object is moving the more observable the impact it can have on another object.
  • The speed of an object is related to the energy of the object.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Articulate from evidence to explain the observable impact of the speed of an object and the energy of an object.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Energy can be transferred in various ways and between objects.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Crosscutting Concepts

Energy and Matter

Learning Objectives

The learner will construct a scaled model of a roller coaster to explain the relationship between the speed of an object to the energy supplied by the coaster.

Activity Details

Students will work in groups of four during the roller coaster assembly. 

Optional: Teachers can show the Paper Roller Coaster How to Video to introduce the activity and provide students with an example of how to build the model. 

Roller Coaster Construction: Paper Roller Coaster Template (1 template per group)

(Teachers can modify the pieces used in the template to allow for time management).

  1. Provide groups with template pieces, scissors, tape, cardboard base, marble, and ruler. 
  2. Give students 30 minutes to build a roller coaster that includes at least one hill, one curve, and one loop in the design.
  3. After 30 minutes each group will test their models by releasing a marble from the beginning of the roller coaster. 
  4. If time permits, have students make modifications to their design to improve the marble's movements through the roller coaster.

Assessment Strategies

Students will be assessed through teacher observations and discussions with group members.

Proficient Models:

  1. Meet the requirement of one hill, one loop, and one curve.
  2. Marble can successfully travel to the end of the roller coaster.
  3. Students can explain where their coaster has the most potential energy and kinetic energy. 
  4. Students can explain how a bigger hill affects the speed at which the marble travels.

Groups that do not meet the requirements above will be given feedback on how to correct their design. If time allows, students can make improvements to the coaster.

Acceleration

Groups that have built a proficient model can add additional loops, curves, hills, and funnels to their roller coaster model.

Intervention

Groups struggling to build a successful model will be given additional scaffolding from the teacher. 

If multiple groups are unsuccessful at building a proficient coaster, the teacher can build a model alongside them in a small group setting.

Background / Preparation

Students should understand and be able to explain potential and kinetic energy. The teacher can remind students that the most potential energy will be found at the top of the highest hill. This lesson is meant to be utilized as a culminating, end of an energy unit activity.

Total Duration

46 to 60 Minutes

Materials and Resources

Digital materials:

Materials needed to construct paper roller coaster (Students work in groups of 4):

  • 1 Paper roller coaster template (The teacher will need to make one copy per group prior to the activity.)
  • Cardstock paper to print roller coaster template 
  • 1 Cardboard base (approximately 12in. x 12in.)
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • 1 Marble
  • Ruler (optional)
Paper Roller Coasters How To Video
https://youtu.be/U7XYzPfutBs
Paper Roller Coaster Template
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-activities/paper-roller-coaster-template…

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

aubriemc
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