It’s the ups and downs of science combined! The 8th grade Pre-AP Science classes were assigned a group project to make a roller coaster out of only paper and tape. Their coaster must have two loopty loops, turns, funnels, and be able to explain Newton’s Laws. Many of the students at IKE have been going to tutoring sessions in order to finish and to make sure it looks in tip-top shape. One group had a lot to say about the project! Turns out there is a lot more learning taking place than the eye can see.
Q: So, what is your group’s theme and name of the roller coaster? How are you going to make it look the way you want it to?
Destiny Garza: “We aren’t finished as you can tell, but our roller coaster’s name is The Spook. It’s supposed to be Halloween themed since that time of year is here, and we are going to add Halloween pictures, such ghosts and scary things to tie in our theme with our name.”
Q: That sounds super cool! Who inspired this spooky theme?
Isabella Estrada: “Well obviously we all agreed on it because if we didn’t we wouldn’t be doing it, but Kaje came up with the idea and Destiny confirmed for all of us.”
Q: Some people may not understand how this ties in with science, so explain to us how it does.
Connor Johnson: “This roller coaster ties in with Newton’s Laws. Each part should explain the three parts of those laws. The first law explains why gravity accelerates an object, the second law explains the idea of acceleration on an object, and the third law states that for every cause there is an equal and opposite effect.”
Q: Wow, I learned a lot from that description. Has this project benefited you in any other way?
Kaje Resnik: “Yes, it has taught me about teamwork and what it means to work together.”
As you can tell it has not only benefited these students academically, but also socially. It shows what it means to be a team and that everyone needs to take credit for whatever happens. Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”
Written By: Michele Cole
