Amusement Park Project Introduction Astroworld has recently received state and local approval to add two new rollercoasters to their amusement park. The new rides will demonstrate some of the basic laws of physics. Special attention will be paid to Newton s laws of motion. You have been asked to design a ride that uses these basic laws of physics. Approximately one month from today, you and your colleagues will be invited to demonstrate a model of your ride and a brochure to the board of directors. The board will make the final selection from all proposals submitted. Each proposal must contain the following: History Name Lab Safety Miniature Model Labeled sketch Activity brochure What is the history of roller coasters? Give the ride a clever and marketable name Must complete three labs to reinforce the physics behind the roller coasters Provide evidence that your ride is safe Create a miniature model of your roller coaster using pipe cleaner Create a blue print of your design. Create a brochure that sells your ride and a science activity that riders can perform while they are on the ride. 1
The Specifics Your grade will come from a combination of the sections listed on the first page. Each section requirements are outlined in detail on the following pages along with a scoring rubric. The value of each section is as follows: History 50 Name 20 Lab 75 Safety 50 Sketch 50 Brochure 100 Miniature Model 50 Binder Checks 10 each Group Dynamic and Journal 55 Total: 450 500 points Throughout your research you will encounter a number of web sites with great information. For extra points write down those web sites and a brief description of the information found at that web site. 2
A catchy or marketable name is sometimes more important than the product. In order to get people excited, you must create a clever name for your ride. The name should: Match the target audience (young, old, teenagers, etc.) Describe the theme (water ride, space theme, etc.) Be concise but clever (not too long) The final name for your ride must be included in your brochure Before beginning any new project, it is a good idea to see what has been done in the past. This will provide a framework for your design and help prevent you from making the same mistakes people have made in the past. During your research, you will need to create a narrative that contains the following information: Who first pioneered the roller coaster (who invented the roller coaster)? When was the first roller coaster created? Where was the first roller coaster created? What changes (innovations) has the roller coaster undergone throughout the years? o How has it changed and why? (i.e. how has the materials used and the design of the roller coaster changed throughout the years and why did they change?) It is very important that you tell why these innovations took place o Document five innovations that have taken place throughout the history of roller coasters. Fore each innovation or advancement be sure to include who, when, where, and why Your narrative must also contain a timeline that includes the five innovations discussed in your narrative. The innovations should be attributed to someone (who came up with the idea) and the date in which it occurred. For information on creating the timeline, see the next page. 3
Creating a Timeline with TimeLiner These are the basics for using the software TimeLiner. The program is capable of much more than the features listed here but the features listed here fulfill the minimum requirements of the assignment. As usual, the more creative your timeline (hint) the more extra points you will receive. Getting Started 1. Go to Start Programs TimeLiner 2. When TimeLiner opens, select New Timeline 3. Select the Standard timeline and press okay Entering Data 1. In the When box, enter the date of the event you wish to include 2. In the What box, enter detailed information about the event o Do not worry about putting the entries in correct chronological order; the software will do it for you 3. To enter another event, select New Event on the left side of the screen and enter the required data Views 1. To view your timeline as a traditional timeline go to View Banner or click the Banner View icon at the top of the screen 2. To make everything fit on one page you can select the Compress icon on the left side of the screen while in Banner View Printing and Exporting If you wish to print your timeline: 1. Select File Print If you wish to export your timeline so you can include it in your history report: 1. Select File Export Banner 2. Then select the format you wish to use (probably bitmap or jpeg) Extra Features Play with the different functions and features of the software to manipulate the font, color, etc. This will improve the look of your timeline and earn you extra points 4
Amusement Park Project: Name GRADING RUBRIC Students:, and 1. Name is concise 2. Name demonstrates evidence of creativity. 3. Name describes the theme of the ride 4. Name addresses the target audience TOTAL POINTS: / 20 Comments: GRADE: 5
Amusement Park Project: History GRADING RUBRIC Students:, and 1. Narrative includes the following information on first roller coaster and all innovations discussed: a. Who b. When c. Where. 2. Five innovations discussed in narrative and timeline. 3. Five significant people discussed narrative and timeline 4. Dates and inspiration included for all innovations and people 5. Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization TOTAL POINTS: Comments: GRADE: 6
To get a better understanding of the physics involved with your ride it will be necessary to complete three labs throughout the duration of the project. These labs are designed to: o Develop an understanding of energy transformations (Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy) o Demonstrate your ability to calculate energy values at different locations o Demonstrate your ability to calculate velocity at different locations o Demonstrate your ability to identify both controlled and manipulated variables o Provides useful information that MUST be used for the design of your roller coaster The directions for each lab is included in the next section Scoring Rubric (75 points possible 25 points per lab) To avoid injury and lawsuits, you must make your ride safe while keeping it fun. Create a narrative outlining the safety features of your ride. Things that must be addressed in your narrative are: The track: o Which materials do you plan to use and why (wood, steel, aluminum, etc.) The car: o What materials do you plan to use and why o What is the design of your car and why o What type of harness will you use and why o What type of seating will you use and why (seated, standing, etc.) Brakes: o What type of brakes do you plan to use and why Special features that will be included on your ride. o For example, does your ride have any tunnels and if so is there a height limit so that tall people do not get decapitated 7
Amusement Park Project: Safety Report GRADING RUBRIC Students:, and 5. Track: Materials chosen and rational for choice 6. Car: materials chosen, design of car, harness used, and seating choice discussed and rational for choice given. 7. Brakes: Type of brakes used discussed and rational for choice given. 8. Special features specific to ride discussed 6. Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization TOTAL POINTS: / 50 Comments: GRADE: 8
Now that you have studied the physics of roller coasters, you should have an idea of what you want your roller coaster to look like. Using the pipe cleaner provided, create a 3D miniature model of your design. Remember that your model must have a minimum of three distinct features (i.e. camel back, corkscrew, etc.) Mold or bend the pipe cleaner until you have a good representation of what your roller coaster should look like. Be careful in your design and make sure that it obeys the laws of physics. Assuming that 10 cm of pipe cleaner is equal to 30 meters of track, calculate the total distance of your model. Record this value on the provided worksheet. This will function as the blueprint for your ride and the source of all your physics calculations. To create your blueprint use the following procedure: 1. Using the four sheets of graph paper provided, draw the side view of your miniature model. Be sure to include a legend to indicate which direction you are looking 2. With colored pencils, identify the areas of relative maximum and minimum height. Number and label the identified regions on your graph paper 3. Calculate the potential energy, kinetic energy, speed, and height (use model to determine) for each location and record the values in the provided table (if you need more sheets see me) o To perform these calculations you will have to assume an initial velocity (position 1) 4. Include in the table the distance of the roller coaster (the length of track you used, which you can figure out from the pipe cleaner) 5. Calculate the total time for your ride. The formula for time is: time = dis tan ce velocity o The velocity you will use in this formula is the average velocity for the roller coaster 6. If your project has a loop then you must calculate the g-forces felt by the rider at the top and bottom of the ride. The g-forces must be within a reasonable range (no more than 6) 9
Amusement Park Project: Model and Sketch GRADING RUBRIC Students:, and 9. Drawing includes all details and matches pipe cleaner model 10. All areas of relative maximum and minimum height are identified and labeled. 11. Energy: Kinetic and potential is correctly calculated for all identified sections. Maximum potential and kinetic energy is identified. 12. Height is given for all identified sections 7. A legend is included for the sketch that indicates direction of view 8. G-forces are calculated and within a reasonable range for all loops 9. Model does not violate the laws of physics 10. Length of track is determined 11. Velocity: Velocity is accurately calculated for all identified sections. Initial velocity is specified. Maximum, minimum, and average velocity are identified 12. Total time of ride is calculated TOTAL POINTS: / 100 *Comments on reverse side GRADE: 10
2D Sketch Calculations Section Height Speed Potential Energy Kinetic Energy *g-forces 11
Maximum Velocity of Roller Coaster: Minimum Velocity of Roller Coaster: Average Velocity of Roller Coaster: Length of Roller Coaster: Total time for a single ride: Maximum PE of Roller Coaster: Maximum KE of Roller Coaster: 12
The most important product of the project is a comprehensive brochure about your ride. The brochure must be created in Microsoft Publisher and include the following information: Pictures of the ride (model, blueprint, drawing, etc) A description of the ride Safety measures for the ride A catchy name for the ride A physics activity that visitors can perform while riding your creation This should be a simple activity that does not require expensive equipment so everyone has a chance to perform the experiment The activity must convey or teach a physics principle Important physics that you have calculated (maximum velocity, length of track, height, etc.) The brochure is your attempt at selling your product to the board of directors. Therefore, it should be a narrative (persuasive) that sells your ride as fun and exciting but at the same time safe. This is also the type of brochure that would be passed out at the amusement park so you want to make sure it is loaded with facts that show you really researched and worked hard to create the best ride possible. Throughout the rest of your life you will be a part of many groups, some you will like and some you will not. Therefore, it is important that you learn to work with you group members whether you are friends with them or not. A major portion of your grade for this project will come from your group participation. Rather than argue with your group members use these journal sheets to tell me about how your group is doing. If your group works well together tell me that. If someone is not doing any work, tell me in your journal sheets. I will be the only person to read these so please be honest. Do not let your grade suffer because someone else did not do his or her work. A journal entry is required for every day we have class. 13
Amusement Park Project: Brochure GRADING RUBRIC Students:, and 13. A catchy and clever name is given to the ride 14. Includes a picture of the ride (drawing, model, etc.). 15. Safety precautions are outlined 16. A detailed description of the ride is given 13. Activity included that teaches a related physics concept 14. Quality of science involved in the activity. Information is correct and activity is feasible 15. Narrative is persuasive 16. Displays evidence of creativity in design and content 17. Important physics calculations included 18. Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization TOTAL POINTS: / 200 Comments: GRADE: 14
Using Microsoft Publisher Getting Started Open Microsoft Publisher from the Start Menu The setup wizard should open automatically Select Brochure from the menu on the left The type of brochure you choose is up to you but most likely it will be an informational brochure since you are conveying information to the reader about your roller coaster. Click Start Wizard at the bottom right side of the page Setup Wizard The setup wizard will guide you through some of the necessary information you will need in order to set up your brochure. o Choose the color scheme that you would like. This is your choice. o For the paper size, select 8.5 x 14 inches (legal) o No, you would not like a place holder for the customer s address o Do not include any forms in your brochure o For personal information select Primary Business. o Select the Update button and enter your personal information. You can make up any information you wish but I do want you to include your real names o Select Finish to exit the setup wizard 15
Editing Text in Your Brochure The screen you should be looking at now is your actual brochure. To change text just highlight the area and type in what you wish to say. The standard view is small and you may wish to zoom in to see what you are typing To zoom in or see your document at its actual size right click anywhere on the document and select Actual Size Editing Images in Your Brochure You can delete or add any image in your brochure by right clicking the image and selecting either Delete Object or Change Picture Some of the images that are in your brochure are a combination of multiple images. To edit one image and not the whole thing, click on the button that looks like a puzzle piece. Now you can edit particular portions of the object. Feel free to add or delete anything you want from the template. Just make sure your final brochure includes all of the necessary information required for the assignment. Explore the different options and create a brochure that demonstrates creativity and extra effort for extra points. 16
Complete a journal entry after each class. State what you have accomplished for that day. List any frustrations or breakthroughs that you have had. Share how you think your group is working. Each journal entry is worth ten points. Day 1 Work completed at home Day 2 Work completed at home Day 3 17
Work completed at home Day 4 Work completed at home Day 5 Work completed at home Day 6 18
Work completed at home Day 7 Work completed at home Day 8 Work completed at home Day 9 19
Work completed at home Day 10 Work completed at home 20