Sixth graders build roller coasters to explore physics concepts

In a sixth-grade science class project, students designed roller coasters to demonstrate their understanding of potential and kinetic energy, gravity, and inertia. The assignment required them to use only materials available at home and meet specific criteria such as a starting height of one meter, at least two hills and turns, and a maximum base of one meter by one meter. Additionally, the marble used as the "train car" had to complete the track without intervention or leaving the track. Students had to consider constraints like time, materials, and group size during their planning and execution. The project fostered problem-solving and communication and elicited enjoyment among participants. It's consistently a favorite project each year.