United States Roller Coaster STEM Challenge - Engineering Design

lesson overview

Go on a thrilling ride with this complete lesson! Read the letter from fictitious travel guides explaining the invention of the roller coaster in the United States. Students will first learn about different forms of energy, including potential and kinetic, with a detailed demonstration along with learning about the science involved in riding a roller coaster. Then, using the engineering design process, student teams are tasked with designing a roller coaster to get a ball into a cup! Students also learn about the STEM careers of structural engineering and neuroscience to bring in a real-world STEM connection. Related math problems extend the learning fun!

As with many STEM activities that are student-driven, this challenge can be tailored to students of various skill levels and abilities.

Included in this product:

• Detailed teachers guide with links to resources

• Grading rubric for the engineering design process

• STEM Career Connections

• Science demonstration instructions

• Student handouts to guide them through the engineering design process

• Math extension problems

• Digital and Printed STEM journals

• Teacher Slides

Required Materials for Challenge: Paper/plastic cups, tape, foil, card stock/standard paper, scissors, paper plates, craft sticks, and a small ball.

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