student edition - .net framework...stem through design. this multi-grade level curricula utilizes...

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STEM Explore, Discover, Apply (STEM EDA) is designed as a three course progression through STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) topics. Students begin by exploring STEM concepts (STEM Explore, 6th grade), then transition to discovering fundamental concepts (STEM Discover, 7th grade), followed by the application of the concepts (STEM Apply, 8th grade). Throughout each course in the sequence, the engineering design process guides the students through the design and implementation of the projects and concepts.

STEM EDA engages middle school students through a series of hands-on projects that help improve their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. All projects seamlessly integrate the engineering design process which allows students to creatively explore STEM through design.

This multi-grade level curricula utilizes liberal arts disciplines to provide meaning and depth to the content. Through STEM EDA, students develop invaluable skills

Welcome to STEM EDA!

What is STEM EDA?

Grade Progression

Goals of Course

• Foster excitement for STEM• Develop a level of exploration in middle school students through STEM projects• Provide a context for the engineering design process through “classic” STEM projects• Drive towards fundamental concepts (at the grade appropriate level) through STEM experiences

focusing on leadership, team-building, creativity, and communication.

STEM EDA’s modular nature provides ultimate flexibility to schools. Teachers can implement the curricula as a standalone elective course, insert specific modules into an existing class, or provide the modules as an after school program.

th7 th8th6

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STEM Explore: Roller Coasters

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A Few Things You Will Notice

The stop sign indicates the end of a section and is a good/suggested stopping place. This symbol is visible in both the student edition and the teacher manual.

GREEN BOXDefinitions and notes will be pointed out to the students within this area.

CALCULATION BOXSpace for students to work problems.

There is an energy here

that is very contagious! My students are motivated and excited to come to school and work on this module. Students who were unmotivated and uninvolved are now key players in their small groups and have found an interest in academics they didn’t think they had.

“

”-Middle School Teacher

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under Grant Award Number, 2013-PD-127-000001, Modification #2. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

CREATED BY

Cyber Pop Outs connect the STEM topic to the cyber world.


Test & Evaluatethe Prototype

Improve& Redesign

Identifythe Problem

Researchthe Problem

BrainstormSolutions

Choosea SolutionCreate & Develop

a Prototype

1 2

345

67

™

ENGINEERINGDESIGN PROCESS

USING DESIGN TO DRIVE CURRICULAR EXPLORATION

EDP

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The process contains overarching themes as well as defined steps. Use the process as a quick reference throughout the module.

• Iteration – Revisiting steps provides the opportunity to improve upon designs.

• Communication – Within a design team, communication is essential to reach an agreement on a solution.

• Teamwork – Group cooperation provides diverse perspectives and help in accomplishing goals.

• Creativity – STEM and liberal arts disciplines are integrated to encourage unique solutions.

• Imagination – Opportunity to apply creative thoughts during development offers unlimited options.



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1

Roller Coasters




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Materials List

Per Class

Materials Department

2- assorted packs of cardstock (You will need a total of nine colors) School Supplies or Office

Roller coaster template files from paperrollercoasters.com

Per Team

Materials Department

1- marble Toys

1- poster board cut in half (from landscape orientation) School Supplies or Office

1- roll of masking tape School Supplies or Office

7- straws Grocery

7- feet of twine/string Crafts

10- sheets of white cardstock School Supplies or Office

Scissors School Supplies or Office

Level Tools or Hardware

Ruler School Supplies or Office

Roller coaster components for each team10 sheets of columns10 sheets of beams5 sheets of diagonal supports5 sheets of straight tracks5 sheets of sharp turns5 sheets of wide turns5 sheets of loops4 sheets of shelves1 sheet of brackets

*The amount of paper templates may vary due to classroom size.


http://paperrollercoasters.com

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It’s a beautiful day! You have just been hired by a well-known roller coaster company as a roller coaster engineer. The owners of the company have seen your other roller coaster designs and decided to hire you to be their lead roller coaster designer. Congratulations!

The only restrictions from your new bosses are that the roller coaster needs to have at least one loop, one wide turn, and one sharp turn. The rest of the roller coaster design and its theme are up to you!

It’s your job as the roller coaster engineer to propose a roller coaster design and create a scale model of your design. For cost efficiency, the company has provided you with cardstock, masking tape, and a marble for you to create the model. The goal for the next three weeks is to come up with an exciting theme for your roller coaster and to make sure that your paper model can successfully and safely transport your marble from the top to the bottom of your roller coaster.

First, let’s make sure that you understand the problem. In your own words, write a few sentences that identify the problem.

IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEMSTEP 1:





Think about the roller coasters that you’ve seen on television, in movies, or some that you have ridden. In the space below, write down what you know about roller coasters and any ideas that you thought of after identifying the problem.

Questions to consider:

• What is the first thing you think about when you hear someone talking about roller coasters?

• Have you ever ridden on a roller coaster?

• Of all the roller coasters that you’ve seen, is there one that stands out to you? Why?


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Now, use the space below to draw a sketch of a roller coaster. What do you think are the most important parts of a roller coaster? Label these parts on your drawing.





We know that the amusement park owner would like a roller coaster that is safe and fun. It is important to research the areas that will help us decide what qualifies a roller coaster as “safe” and “fun”.

Think about the things you will have to know in order to build your roller coaster models.

What are some areas that we should research? Why?

STEP 2: RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM


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First, let’s do some research on the history of roller coasters because it’s always a good idea to have background information. Research will explain the evolution of roller coasters, as well as help you design a new and exciting roller coaster!

Read the articles provided by your teacher. Write down three interesting facts about roller coasters. We will then share with the class.

1.

2.

3.

Use the space below to write down things your classmates learned about that you did not write down from your article.





Second, let’s research the different types of roller coasters. This way, we can learn about all the different roller coasters in the world and how different they are from each other!

Read the articles provided by your teacher. Write down three facts about roller coaster categories that you think are interesting. Afterwards, we will share with the class.

1.

2.

3.

Use the space below to write down things your classmates learned about that you did not write down from your article.


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The oldest roller coasters started with the Russian Mountains which were built in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Russian Mountains were built out of ice and the slides were between 70 to 80 feet (21-24 meters) high. These slides were built at a 50-degree angle.

In the United States, roller coasters started out as mine trains. In the 1850s, a mining company built a gravity railroad that delivered coal. Before long, they were charging 50 cents per ride to their customers.

The idea of using mine trains for amusement led to the 1884 opening of the Switchback Railway in Coney Island, New

York. People would climb to the top of a tower to ride down the track and up to another tower. Then, they would switch to the second tower and return to the first tower. Before long, instead of having two separate tracks, these railways would be designed to circle back to the beginning on a single track.

Before Disneyland® introduced the first steel roller coaster in 1959, roller coasters were built out of wood. Any roller coaster loops that they had tried to do with wood made the roller coasters very dangerous for the passengers. Steel revolutionized roller coaster design and safety; now there are more than 3,000 steel roller coasters throughout the world!

History of Roller Coasters





As of July 2013, Roller Coaster Database states that there are 3,235 roller coasters in the world. The database separates these into eight major categories.

1. Sit-down- Like the name suggests, a sit-down roller coaster is the traditional type of coaster where there are seats for the riders to sit.

2. Stand-up- A stand up roller coaster is ridden while the rider is standing up.

3. Inverted- An inverted roller coaster is one where the train of the roller coaster is rigidly attached under the track, rather than sitting on top of the track.

4. Suspended- A suspended roller coaster, like the inverted roller coaster, travels under the track; instead of this type being rigid, it has a pivot that lets it swing from side to side.

5. Pipeline- A pipeline roller coaster allows the riders to be positioned between the rails instead of on top or below the rails.

6. Bobsled- A bobsled roller coaster does not have a fixed track. It travels freely through a U-shaped tube, often called a “trough”.

7. Flying- A flying roller coaster allows the riders to be seated, but they’re rotated to face the ground so they can have a flying sensation throughout the ride.

8. Fourth dimension- This type of coaster has a car in which two seats from each car are positioned on either side of the track. These seats spin or rotate on their own axis.

Roller coasters are also categorized by material, height, and other characteristics. Roller coasters can be built from wood, steel, or a combination of both! A roller coaster with a wooden track can be supported with steel. It is still considered a wooden roller coaster as long as the track is made of wood. The same applies for steel roller coasters; if the track is made of steel, it is considered a steel coaster even if the supports are wooden.

Different Types of Roller Coasters

Eight Roller Coaster Categories


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Below are the classifications of roller coasters based on height. Many amusement parks use their own personal system. Below is a typical systems used to classify roller coasters.

1. Kiddie Coaster– This type is safely designed for children and usually have heights that are less than 200 feet (61 meters).

2. Hyper (Mega) Coaster– These roller coasters have a height between 200 feet (61 meters) and 299 feet (91 meters).

3. Giga Coaster– This category has a height between 300 (91 meters) to 399 feet (122 meters).

4. Strata Coaster– These coasters have a height that is greater than 400 feet (120 meters).

Now that you have learned about roller coasters, go online and look for a roller coaster that you think is interesting.

What is the name of the roller coaster?

Where is it located?

What’s the theme of this roller coaster? Is there a story behind its name?

How would you categorize your roller coaster (inverted, suspended, etc.)?

What material is it made of?

Why did you pick this roller coaster?

Share the things you’ve learned about your roller coaster with your partner! Think about the similarities and differences between the two roller coasters. Write down ideas that you both like or dislike so that you can look back when it’s time to brainstorm ideas for your design.





Now that we know about the history and different types of roller coasters, let’s learn about how they work!

Structure is a very important aspect of the roller coasters. Look at the different types of roller coasters pictured below. What is one thing that they all have in common?

Kingda Ka1Six Flags, Great Adventure

Steel Accelerator Strata Coaster

Blue Fire2Europa Park, Germany

Batman: The Ride3Six Flags, Great America

Cyclone4Coney Island, New York

Steel Inverting Launched Coaster

Steel Accelerator Strata Coaster Wooden Coaster


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In the space below, write three things that they all have in common.

1.

2.

3.

Another important part of roller coasters are the support beams! From the kiddie coasters to the strata coasters, wooden or steel, each roller coaster needs structural supports so that the roller coaster will be fun and safe to ride.

Kingda Ka at Great Adventure - Six Flags© is a steel strata coaster. As of 2013, it is the tallest roller coaster in the world! The Coney Island Cyclone is a wooden roller coaster. Notice that even though the Cyclone isn’t as tall as Kingda Ka, it has a lot more supports. The supports for the Cylone are crisscrossed into a formation that is called “lattice”.

Why do you think that a wooden roller coaster needs so much more support than the steel

coaster?

Remember that you will be building your model out of cardstock. How do you think the

material will affect your design?





No matter what type of material is used to build a roller coaster, the foundation of the roller coaster is very important. Think about skyscrapers. Skyscrapers have to have excellent foundations because they are so tall and heavy.

Roller coasters need supports and a strong foundation in order for the track to be held up safely. Now, let’s look at the shapes of supports. Our roller coaster models will not have an underground foundation, but the construction of the supports is still very important.

Take a look around the classroom. What kind of shapes do you see supporting your tables and chairs? Draw them in the space below:

DID YOU KNOW?One amazing use of triangles is in the Pyramids of Egypt.

Did you know that the Great Pyramid was completed around 2560 BC and it is still standing today? Since the pyramid was designed and built using a triangular prism structure it has been able to

withstood the test of time for over 4,500 years.


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Project Supplies

• 7 straws

• 7 feet of twine/string

1. Thread the twine through four straws and tie the ends together so that a square is formed.

2. Push a corner of the square. Notice that when you push the corner of the square, the square can change into a parallelogram.

3. Now, thread your twine through three straws and tie the ends together so that the straws form a triangle.

4. Push down on the corner of the triangle. Does the triangle change its shape?





What conclusions can you make about triangles and squares?

Now, push down on the triangle from different places and in different directions. Is there a weak spot that you should avoid when using a triangle shape? Draw what happens in the box below.


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What do you think you can add to the square to make it more stable? Draw your idea in the space below and then try it!





How do you think other shapes like pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, and octagons resist pressure? In the following table, draw a prediction for what you think will happen when you push down on a corner of the shape.

Shape Prediction Actual


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Think of instances in your life, outside of the classroom, in which you’ve seen triangles providing stability. Draw examples in the space below and label your drawing.

Describe your drawing.

DID YOU KNOW?The tallest building in the world as of the year 2013

is the Burj Khalifa. It is located in the United Arab Emirates, and it is 2,717 feet tall. It has 163 floors, which is 43 floors more than the second tallest

building in the world! The Burj Khalifa weighs about 500,000 tonnes, which is more than 1 billion pounds. Its foundation

stretches to 50 meters (approximately 164 feet) below ground!





Paper Table- Mini Project

Supplies per team:

• The other half of the poster board

• 10 sheets of white cardstock

• Masking tape

• Scissors

• Level

• Ruler

In this mini project you will design and build a table made of cardstock that supports more books than your classmates’ tables. This activity will help you get a feel for the durability of cardstock, which you will be using for your roller coasters. The poster board will be the base of your table. The remainder of the table structure will be made completely from cardstock!

You can use the cardstock in any way you’d like, but it’s a good idea to cut the cardstock into strips and fold it in to rectangular or triangular prisms. Use your masking tape to secure the edges.

Your teacher will limit the amount of cardstock and masking tape that you receive, as well as set a minimum height for your table, so design your table carefully! Discuss with your partner the best way to build your table. Remember what we’ve learned about the best shapes to use!

Before you start building, create two to four designs for your table on the engineering paper on the next few pages. Remember that you have a specific amount of resources to use! Label each piece of the table with the number of sheets of cardstock that will be used. Also, write down the height, length, and width of your table, as well as the total amount of cardstock used.


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Engineering Paper

Height:

Length:

Width:

Sheets of cardstock used:

What are the advantages/disadvantages of this design?





Engineering Paper

Height:

Length:

Width:




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Engineering Paper

Height:

Length:

Width:







Engineering Paper

Height:

Length:

Width:




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After finishing your designs, talk to your partner and find a design that you both agree has the best advantages, or create a new design that will let you use the best parts of each of your

designs. Which design did you pick and why?

How many books do you think your table will be able to hold?

Now it’s time to start building your table. Wait for instructions from your teacher before putting books on top of your table.

How many books was your table able to hold before the table collapsed?

How close was your prediction to the actual number of books? Why do you think the result

was so close/far from your guess?

How many books did the last table hold before it collapsed?

What made it possible for the cardstock to hold the weight of so many books?

If you could build your table again, what would you do differently?





Now that we know what kind of shapes to use to support our roller coaster, let’s think about the track and how our marble will move through it. When thinking about any sort of motion, it is important to think about gravity.

Do you remember the definition of gravity from the Egg Drop module? Write the definition in your own words in the space below:

Remember, Sir Isaac Newton discovered that objects in a vacuum (a space entirely void of matter) fall at the same rate!

Why do you think gravity is important for roller coasters?

When doing research on roller coasters, did you notice that a lot of roller coasters start with a really high hill? The first form of the roller coasters had the passengers climb to the top of the tower so that they could use gravity to pull the car down the track without any extra energy being used.

For our paper model, we need to start high enough so that the marble can pass through all of the parts.


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Let’s review some terms. Write down the definitions for the following:

• Velocity–

• Acceleration–

How can you relate these terms to your roller coaster? Write a sentence or two about roller coasters using both velocity and acceleration.





Now, let’s review Newton’s first two laws of motion and see how they apply to our roller coasters.

• Newton’s First Law of Motion: an object in motion tends to stay in motion unless it is acted on by an outside force.

• Newton’s Second Law of Motion: the acceleration of a body depends on the amount of force acting upon it as well as the mass of the body.

Let’s combine everything we know about the forces acting on your body. When you are on a roller coaster, the force of gravity is pulling you straight down. So when you are moving at a constant speed, you only feel gravity.

However, acceleration is always changing. You speed up when you go downhill, and you slow down when you go uphill. When you are riding a roller coaster, your body wants to keep going in the direction that you’ve already traveled. This is Newton’s First Law, which can also be called the Law of Inertia.

Inertia can be defined as the resistance of an object to change from its state of motion or rest.

Now, write down your own definition of inertia. Then, use an example to describe inertia.


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Let’s think about this side view of a roller coaster track. You’re stopped on a roller coaster on top of Hill A. As you travel down the slope, your speed will continue to increase until you reach the bottom. Your body is continues to travel downward, but the roller coaster jerks up to go up Hill B. Your harness or strap acts as the outside force that changes your motion.

The roller coaster may cause your stomach to feel like it is floating; that is because you’re being pulled by all these forces! The acceleration is pushing you back into your seat, while gravity is pulling you out when you speed down a hill.

So while we are thinking about you getting tossed around in your seat, let’s think about your organs, like your heart or your stomach. They’re being affected by gravity and acceleration inside your body! That’s the cause for all the abnormal feelings. That floating feeling occurs in your stomach when there is less force pushing on it than usual. This happens at the tops of the hills when your body is still going up, but the gravity pull you back down the track.

This feeling also happens in elevators! Have you paid attention to how your body feels when the elevator is going up compared to when the elevator is going down?

When do you feel heavier? When you go up or down?

When do you feel lighter?

A

B

C





Now, let’s think about some other forces. Why do you think that the hills in the figure get

shorter?

If you answered friction, then you’re right! Friction is the force that slows down the motion of one object against another.

Put a book down on the floor and slide it. Notice that the book will stop. Newton’s First Law says that the book should slide until something stops it. The friction between the floor and the book slows down, and then stops the book.

Write down and draw an example of how you experience friction in your life!


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Now, write down and draw what would happen for the previous situation if friction didn’t

exist.





Now that you have done your research on roller coasters, the best shapes for stability, as well as the forces that explain the movement of the marble down your roller coaster, you’re ready to brainstorm designs for your roller coaster that will allow your marble to go around your track successfully.

Remember your goal from the problem statement in Step 1. As a roller coaster engineer, you should think of the best way to make your roller coaster exciting and safe. Keep in mind that you’ll be presenting a

paper model of your roller coaster. Make sure that you think about a theme to go along with your roller coaster!

Before you start brainstorming, your teacher will pass out the nine components that you will need in order to build your roller coaster: straight track, column, beam, triangular support (small, medium, and large), loops, shelf, brackets, wide turn, and sharp turn. You will need to cut, fold, assemble, and become familiar with the parts. After your teacher hands out the parts, cut along the dotted lines and fold along the solid black lines. The instructions on the next page will help you put these pieces together.

STEP 3: BRAINSTORMING SOLUTIONS


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Support Structures

These are the pieces that you’ll be using to ensure your roller coaster track has a sturdy base to roll on.

1. The column is the piece that will allow you to build your roller coaster taller. Fold along the solid black lines in order to form a straight column. Secure the overlap with masking tape. While holding the column vertically, cut the four edges of the column up to the solid gray lines. These flaps can be secured to the base. Label the figure below with height (h), and width (w).

Use a ruler to determine the width and height of your paper column. These measurements will help you later when you start to design how tall your roller coaster will be!

What is the width of the column?

What is the height of the column?





2. The beams are approximately the same as the columns. However, they have several solid gray lines. These are guidelines for you to cut in case you place your columns closer together than the length of the paper allows. The figure below is the front view of the way that columns and beams would fit together. Now, use a ruler to make some measurements!

How long is each segment (s)?

How many segments are there?

How long is the entire beam?

3. Diagonal supports can offer supports from the base of the platform on which the roller coaster sits, or from columns to beams for additional support. Usually, the higher you construct a roller coaster, the more support it needs both at the top and at the bottom. There are three sizes of triangular supports: small, medium, and large. Again, cut the dotted lines to fold and tape the flaps against the beam, column, or base.

4. Shelves are used to support the track pieces. You will most likely add shelves following the construction of your track on the columns and beams. You should add a shelf to any location where the track needs extra support or lift (to help the marble roll down).

Note: The roller coaster component colors may not match the color of the components you have. The color of the paper does not matter.


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Brackets are an extremely important piece. Since we’re using cardstock, which can sometimes become a little limp from the moisture in the air, the roller coaster may sag and lose the shape that you want. Brackets are a useful way to help the track keep its shape. The yellow piece shown in the figure on the right is a bracket.

These are the pieces that you will be using to create the roller coaster track. You will attach the track pieces to the support structure.

1. The straight track is the most basic type of track. This piece will be useful for a long drop or to connect pieces of paper together. After cutting along the dotted lines to separate the pieces of straight track, fold the sides along the solid black lines so that the track looks like the figure on the right.

On the picture of the straight track, label the height (h), width (w), and length (l). Use a ruler to note the dimensions for the actual straight track made from cardstock.

What is the height of the side?

What is the width of the track?

What is the length of the straight track?

2. The loop will be an exciting part of your track. Fold along the solid black lines so that it looks like a straight track. Then, cut along the dotted lines. Overlap the pieces so that the shaded triangle is covered and the track curls up into a loop.

3. The sharp turns and the wide turns offer the same turning function, but they are different sizes. Again, fold along the solid black lines so that you have a straight track, then cut along the dotted lines. You should end up with triangular scraps which you can throw away. Then, connect the edges of your turn together so that it forms a curve.

You are ready to brainstorm different design ideas now that you have an understanding of the different components needed to build your paper roller coaster. Create at least three different designs. Use the engineering paper to draw your designs; be sure to label dimensions.

Track Pieces

Did you know modern coasters may not exist to the extreme states as they are today without the use of computer assisted designs? Using computer software, engineers can unleash their creativity and construct amazing roller coasters while testing the physics, structure, safety, and effects to the human body before

building a single piece.

The following video and article describes ways that roller coasters are incorporating cyber elements to enhance a rider’s experience when on a roller coaster. From design and testing to visual and audio effects, cyber technology is forming a strong partnership with theme parks and roller

coasters worldwide.

a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjWP-qPivT4

b. http://www.networkworld.com/article/2261029/infrastructure-management/top-tech-roller-coasters.html



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjWP-qPivT4



http://www.networkworld.com/article/2261029/infrastructure-management/top-tech-roller-coasters.html








Brainstorm Idea 1

Describe your design and theme. How does the theme

correspond with the design?


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Brainstorm Idea 1

Part Cost Amount Used Total Cost

Column

Beam

Straight Track

Loop

Sharp Turn

Wide Turn

Brackets

Small Diagonal Support

Medium Diagonal Support

Large Diagonal Support

What is the final cost of the entire design?





Brainstorm Idea 2




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Brainstorm Idea 2


Column

Beam

Straight Track

Loop

Sharp Turn

Wide Turn

Brackets









Brainstorm Idea 3




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Brainstorm Idea 3


Column

Beam

Straight Track

Loop

Sharp Turn

Wide Turn

Brackets









Now that you have three roller coaster designs, you need to discuss which one to build.

There are many things to consider when choosing your design:

1. Will your design be successful? Will the marble make it all the way through the loop of the model?

2. Is the design of the roller coaster safe? Do you think the marble will make it all the way from the top to the bottom without falling out?

3. Do you think your supports will keep your track stable for multiple passes of marbles down the track?

4. Do you think your roller coaster will be fun for the riders? Is it exciting?

5. Do you think that the theme you chose relates well with the design of your roller coaster?

6. Is the cost of the design higher compared to cost of your other designs?

Use the next pages to list the pros and cons about each of your preliminary designs.

STEP 4: CHOOSING A SOLUTION


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List three to five advantages about your first design.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

List three to five disadvantages about your first design.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.





List three to five advantages about your second design.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

List three to five disadvantages about your second design.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.


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List three to five advantages about your third design.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

List three to five disadvantages about your third design.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.





Which roller coaster design and theme will you choose, and why? Keep in mind that it could be a combination of designs.

Once you and your group have reached a decision, you can move onto the next phase of the engineering design process!


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Now that you have decided on a design, it’s time to start building the cardstock prototype! What do you think should be the first step of building your prototype?

Building your prototype will be a three-step process.

First, you should begin by folding and taping all the components that you’ll need for your design. Cut out a few extra brackets just in case. Those will be helpful in securing your track and you can add the cost later if you use them.

Second, start building your support structure. It is important to build the supports before you lay down your track. Make sure that it’s sturdy. If you end up changing your design structure, make notes and keep track of the materials that you use.

Third, you can begin building your track on your support structure. Again, if you change your design for some reason, write down your reason, and keep track of your materials. Use the engineering paper to draw your final design if anything has changed.

STEP 5: CREATING & DEVELOPING A PROTOTYPE





Notes:


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Let’s step away from our prototypes and do some creative writing! The roller coaster you are designing will be a major attraction for the amusement park. To commemorate significance of the roller coaster, you are tasked with creating a plaque for the amusement park patrons to read. The plaque should have the following information:

• Name of ride

• Theme of the ride

• Logo that represents the ride

• General facts about the roller coaster (height, number of components, length of ride, etc.)

• What is special about the roller coaster? What differentiates the coaster from other roller coasters?

• Short story about the design/creation of the roller coaster

• Short bio about you and your partner as the design engineers for the roller coaster

It is up to you and your partner to determine how the information is presented on the plaque. You do not have to present the information in the order presented above. Use a sheet of cardstock, poster board, or a PowerPoint® slide (determined by your teacher), to create the plaque. Use the lines below to address the information that should be on the plaques. Use the

open space for logo design ideas.

CREATIVE ELEMENT

CREATIVE WRITING



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Logo Designs





Now it is time to test our prototypes! Each team will take turns presenting their design to the class. After you present your project, we will take turns dropping a marble down your model. Use the prompts below to help collect your thoughts.

Why did you choose this particular design?

What is the name and theme of your design?

What are some problems that you encountered when designing?

Why should the roller coaster company build your roller coaster?

STEP 6: TESTING & EVALUATING THE PROTOTYPE


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What other things do you want the class to know about your design?





Now that you’ve presented your roller coaster, it is important to take some time to think back about things that you could have improved.

Did your marble make it all the way to the bottom without falling out? If not, why? If so,

what elements of your design helped propel the marble all the way down?

Other than the marble completing or not completing the run, was there anything that went wrong with your roller coaster or anything that happened that you were not expecting? If

so, what happened?

How would you improve or redesign your roller coaster so that this problem would not

exist?

STEP 7: IMPROVING & REDESIGNING


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What are some issues you encountered when building your coaster?

Would you build your roller coaster differently next time because of these issues? If so, what

would you do differently?

Regardless of the success of your roller coaster, are there any other ways that you would like

to improve it or add on to it?

Was there something that you wanted to add to the roller coaster, but couldn’t because of

limited time and resources? What was it?

Once you and your partner decide which improvements you want to make on your roller coaster model, if time permits, execute the idea and see how it works.



student edition - .net framework...stem through design. this multi-grade level curricula utilizes...

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