CONTEXT
Originating from the Russian Mountains (wooden hills covered in ice) in the 1700's, modern day roller coasters push the extreme to the limit! Utilizing the latest innovations in technology and answering public cries for faster, steeper, and more inversion-packed thrill rides, coaster designers around the world seek notoriety for their awesome designs.
One such innovator in the field of Amusement Park Rides was Harry Traver; his 1920's Crystal Beach Cyclone has been crowned "The Most Terrifying Coaster Ever!" by roller coaster enthusiasts. In fact, a full duty nurse was hired to remain in the coaster's boarding station to revive passengers that had blacked-out due to the extreme g-forces experienced on the ride. In its brief career, the Cyclone claimed one life; due to the neck-snapping turns and steep drops, bolts sheared apart and the ride became a maintenance nightmare! Nevertheless, it was the Ride of the Millennium.
CHALLENGE
You are now a 3-C official (Certified Coaster Creator) for the Funtastic Amusement Company. Your task is to plan, design, and create a roller coaster that meets the specific requirements of the client. Since you are a new hire, several of the veteran employees have been summoned to aid you in problem solving and software manipulation. Mr. Twisten and Ms. Shout have prepared a Coaster Guide that summarizes the inclusion of technology into the design process to enhance your final product(s).
Oh, I forgot to tell you? Why yes, you have more than one roller coaster to build ... you actually have several! You must submit data from each of the three design utilizing the company letterhead; the code number for each design must be correctly entered in the space provided on the form and your file MUST be saved onto a 3.5" floppy disk that has been appropriately labeled with your name.
Version One: Typical Wooden Roller Coaster (Out and Back Design)
Version Two: Typical Steel Roller Coaster (Loops and Corkscrew Features)
Version Three: Choice Design for Specified Space Requirements
COASTER REFLECTIONS
Students will complete the following question summaries for each design:
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Summary of Class Activities and/or Discussions |
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Reflections of New/Revised Knowledge (Please include general observations that the evaluators provided you during your design quest, What were the pros and cons of your design decisions? How did you meet or fail to meet the stated criteria?) |
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Reflections on 'How' you plan to APPLY this knowledge to your field trip experience as well as the FINAL coaster design. (If you had to redo the challenge, how might you modify your design?) |
The above lesson has been revisited and redeveloped nearly five separate times since my enrollment in the M.I. Program; new ideas for integrating technology and cross curricular connections has provided a springboard for the completion of the Amusement Park Module (PRISM - Parks Rides Integrating Science and Math). This unit is scheduled for completion during Spring 2002 when I will introduce a Community -Remediation component as well where parents and students may learn math/science concepts together during an after-school / home study program.
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