Roller Coasters

High School Physical Science

As you know the GA Cyclone roller coaster was torn down in August of this year. This allows for Six
Flags Over GA to introduce a new money-making attraction. Since roller coasters bring in a high
percentage of patrons, the park has decided to replace the old coaster with a new and innovative roller coaster.

Six Flags has advertised for engineering groups to present proposals and prototypes of a new roller coaster to
the executive board in February of 2018. Only one group will be awarded this exclusive contract.

Your group has decided to put in a bid for the contract. You must begin preparing immediately! Your
timeline is short.

Engineering Requirements & Constraints

• The track prototype must be made of the material provided by Six Flags (card stock and tape), and
engineered so that it is easily stands without human contact.
• Your car will be represented by a glass marble.
• Your paper roller coaster must meet all of the following requirements:
• Height between 30 cm and 100 cm
• Track length must be at least 150 cm
• At least one loop
• At least six turns
• Bucket at the end to catch your marble
• Decorated in a specific theme related to Georgia history (use your social studies class for
guidance)
• High speed
• Creative and innovative design
• Safety is paramount!

How to Present Your Design/Prototype

I. You will video tape a successful run of your roller coaster prototype and present this, as well as
marketing/PR pitch articulating the “awesomeness” of your roller coaster to the executive committee for Six
Flags Over GA.
Your demonstration/oral presentation should include:
• average speed for your car as calculated over many trials and how that enhances the excitement of the
ride
• locations of acceleration and how those add to the thrill/enjoyment of the ride
• most exciting part(s) of the ride and why
• explanation of the energy transformations that occur and how that demonstrates conservation of
energy
• If your car fails (does not travel the length of the track), then you must be prepared to accurately
explain the causes of the failure and potential solutions.
 • persuasive language to appeal to the Six Flags board of directors (how awesome this is and how it will
benefit Six Flags Over GA)
• 10 minutes time limit

II. You will submit a marketing/PR containing:

1. diagram of your roller coaster track which includes the following:
• location of maximum & minimum GPE (gravitational potential energy) & calculate each
• location of maximum & minimum KE (kinetic energy) & calculate each
• approximate location where GPE = KE
• location of points of acceleration
2. a one page PR release about the new roller coaster attraction

The most successful presentations in all of 8th grade will be

selected to complete for the contract.