pdf, 2.02 MB
pdf, 2.02 MB

Middle School Physics Roller Coaster Lab: 3-page STEM packet on potential/kinetic energy, centripetal force, friction, & velocity math.

Explore mechanical physics, gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, friction, and centripetal acceleration! The Paper Roller Coaster Momentum & Energy STEM Lab (ENG05) challenges middle school student teams to act as amusement park engineers, designing a functional paper roller coaster track with vertical loops and banked turns to safely guide a marble through maximum run time.

Students explore potential vs. kinetic energy transformations, energy conservation, friction loss, centripetal force dynamics, and average velocity calculations!

What Is Included in This 3-Page Packet?

Page 1: Teacher Guide & Lesson Plan: NGSS alignment (MS-PS3-1, MS-PS3-2, MS-ETS1-2), target science concepts, station setup guide, expected student outcomes, answer keys, and track alignment troubleshooting tips.

Page 2: Student Mission Card & Blueprint: Real-world mechanical engineering and theme park ride infrastructure scenario hook, clear material limits box (cardstock track strips, tape, marble, meter stick, timer), and a dedicated Coaster Track Elevation & Energy Vector Schematic sketching zone.

Page 3: Testing Log & Scientific Reflection: Structured Data Testing Table (track track length in cm, run time in seconds, and performance failure modes), Applied Math Connection (calculate Average Velocity = distance / time), and physics reflection questions.

Core STEM Skills Covered:

Mechanical Engineering & Theme Park Physics Mechanics

Gravitational Potential Energy & Kinetic Energy Transformations

Centripetal Acceleration Vector Analysis & Friction Control

Data Logging, Time Measurement (s), and Velocity Math Calculations

Why Teachers Love This Resource:

3-Page Professional Layout: Includes a complete Teacher Guide for seamless prep, keeping student activity sheets clean and ready to print!

Low-Cost Materials: Uses simple cardstock or construction paper, masking tape, marbles, and stopwatches.

High-Impact Physics Lab: Transforms energy equations and motion laws into an exciting, hands-on, high-speed engineering challenge!

Print-Ready: High-resolution, 3-page PDF format ready for instant printing.

Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 10%

A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

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Civil Structural Engineering STEM Bundle

Middle School Civil & Structural Engineering Bundle: 5 complete lab packets (15 pages total) connecting bridges, towers, domes, & roller coasters. Transform your middle school science classroom into an active engineering firm with the complete Civil & Structural Engineering STEM Lab Bundle (ENG01–ENG05)! Designed specifically for Grades 6–8, this comprehensive 15-page bundle delivers 5 hands-on, high-impact engineering challenges that bridge structural physics, material science, forces and motion, and applied math. Students explore truss geometry, high-rise column mechanics, geodesic dome compression networks, micro-truss joint gussets, and potential-to-kinetic energy coaster physics through engaging destruction and motion testing competitions! Each lab follows our signature clean 3-page packet format: Page 1 Teacher Guide, Page 2 Student Mission Blueprint Workspace, and Page 3 Testing Log & Scientific Reflection. 📦 What Is Included in This 5-Lab Bundle (15 Pages Total)? ENG01: Popsicle Stick Truss Bridge Load Challenge — Truss geometry, Warren/Pratt/Howe patterns, tension vs. compression, and mass-held efficiency ratios. ENG02: Newspaper Skyscraper Tower STEM Challenge — High-density beam rolling, center of mass alignment, triangular bracing, and lateral wind shear resistance. ENG03: Geodesic Dome Compression Load STEM Challenge — 2V geodesic networks, triangular tessellations, multidirectional compression dispersion, and nodal failure analysis. ENG04: Toothpick Bridge Truss Load Challenge — Micro-structural mechanics, wood grain compression, joint gusset plate mechanics, and shear failure testing. ENG05: Paper Roller Coaster Momentum & Energy STEM Lab — Gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy conversion, 360-degree loop centripetal force, friction loss, and velocity math. 📐 Core STEM Concepts & Applied Math Covered: Tension, Compression, Shear, and Torsional Force Vectors Triangular Rigidity vs. Polygonal Structural Deformation Gravitational Potential Energy & Kinetic Energy Transformations Centripetal Acceleration, Wind Shear Deflection, and Friction Losses Data Logging, Ratio Math (Structural Efficiency), and Average Velocity Calculations 💡 Why Teachers Love This Bundle: Plug-and-Play Uniformity: Every packet features a standard, clean layout that students can navigate independently, freeing you to facilitate testing stations! Low-Cost Materials: Built entirely around everyday budget-friendly supplies (popsicle sticks, newspaper, straws, toothpicks, cardstock, tape, and testing weights). Print-Ready: Zip file containing 5 high-resolution, print-ready PDF files (15 Total Pages).

$8.96

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