In a culmination of their hard work, AP Physics students at Colonie High School showcased their final projects during an in-school field trip this week. Following their AP Exam on May 14, students were tasked with an engaging assignment titled the Great Paper Roller Coaster Challenge.
The challenge posed a scenario in which a local amusement park called for roller coaster designs to determine who should construct their next attraction. The students had to create paper roller coasters that adhered to a series of strict requirements:
- Height between 30 cm and 100 cm
- Steel ball must start from rest
- At least two loops
- At least six turns
- At least one time-waster (e.g., funnel, half-pipe)
- At least two hills
- One creative design element (not made from paper or cardboard)
- Steel ball must stay on the track the entire time (except for any jumps built into the ride)
- Track must be stable; the track cannot move or shake
- Entire ride is powered by gravity; no magnets, electricity, springs, etc.
- Entire ride works without manual assistance to the steel ball
- The coaster must have a name, a theme, and decorations to support the theme
- Entire ride (start to end) must be at least 30 seconds long
The students formed groups of 2-4 members and spent the past few weeks designing and constructing their roller coasters. This week all projects were due and the results were nothing short of impressive.
Each roller coaster reflected its designers' creativity and dedication, with various themes, intricate loops, turns, and unique design elements. The students’ projects demonstrated their understanding of physics principles and their ability to apply these concepts in a hands-on, practical manner.
"Seeing the students' creativity in these projects has been incredibly rewarding," said their Colonie Physics teacher Michele Famoso. "They have shown not only their grasp of the subject matter but also their ability to work collaboratively and think outside the box."
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