This fall, seventh grade students in the Technology Club studied roller coaster design, created roller coasters on the computer using a software program, and ran a simulation to test their design, and obtain a fear factor rating, and data about their roller coaster.
Working in groups of three, students went into the Tech Lab and used their design ideas and rough drawing to build a marble roller coaster using materials such as foam pipe insulation, peg-board, wire and tape. 
Once construction was complete and timed runs were over, students designed and wrote a creative roller coaster advertisement.
“For weeks students acted as engineers, and scientists building and tracking their progress,” said teacher Rick Jason. “This is a fun and creative way to teach students about physics, forces, motion, and energy conversion.”