What is energy? Where does the energy in roller coaster cars come from? Does the height of a coaster have anything to do with its speed? These are some of the questions fourth graders are asking in science class. To answer these questions, students have been making “bumper coasters” and carrying out a series of experiments with marbles that explore how changing the height of a coaster’s starting point or changing the number of collisions on the tracks affects how far a coaster’s cars travel. The next time a fourth grader visits an amusement park, they will have a new understanding of the science behind some of their favorite rides.
– Emily Crawford, fourth grade teacher
