Physics students applied their understanding of forces, motion, and energy by designing and building roller coaster models featuring loops, turns, and varying heights. Working in teams and following the Cubs Create Design Cycle, students asked, researched, imagined, planned, created, evaluated, and revised their designs.

Each coaster included a required “thrill factor,” with at least one loop, one turn, and three distinct height levels. Students calculated speed, acceleration, kinetic energy, and potential energy at key points along the track. Acting as engineers, they created detailed blueprints with precise measurements and produced videos documenting their design process and final tests. In class, the coasters were evaluated for both creativity and performance.