Mrs. Alison Hinesman’s eighth grade class has been simulating the creation of roller coasters while learning about gravitational potential energy (GPE) and kinetic energy (KE).
“They are beginning to understand that an object can have both kinds of energy at the same time,” said Hinesman. “This coaster simulator allowed them to figure out how to increase an object’s initial GPE to have more to convert to KE, making a more exciting coaster. After taking some initial recordings of data, we then competed in who could score the most points for the most exciting, successful coaster. It was a great time!”
“This lab is an excellent example of Chagrin Falls teachers integrating 21st century learning,” said Chagrin Falls Middle School Principal David Wessel. “It gave our students an opportunity to explore something we never could have done had we not had technology.”
