Rollercoaster Project
The Rollercoaster Project was a project that focused on teaching us the potential and kinetic energy that goes on during a rollercoaster. During this project, we learned about the conservation of energy, and the energies that convert during a rollercoaster, such as potential, kinetic, heat(friction), etc. Our class also went to Six Flags Magic Mountain as well to have hands on experience with rollercoasters and feel the different energies encountered on the ride. After that we made model rollercoasters on a piece of wood with Polystyrene and coaster cars we called WALL-Es. Then, whether if it was a wall piece or a table piece, we tested to see whether or not our rollercoasters were able to work.
Reflections on the project
My first impression of this project was that I was really excited to do this project. To be honest I just really wanted to go to Six Flags but building a rollercoaster with a partner seemed fun as well. I think the biggest highlight of my whole entire experience with the rollercoaster project was seeing my own rollercoaster which was very time consuming to make, finally worked (although it broke later). That moment made me very happy and proud because I was capable of making something and getting it to work.
During the initial part of the project, I already had an idea of what we were going to learn from the previous years before since we made (very poor) rollercoasters. So when we talked about Potential and Kinetic Energy, I thought it would be a piece of cake. Although I did learn two new concepts learning this project once more. I learned the equation to find potential and kinetic energy. Dawn taught us hand gestures to help us remember it too. So now I know Potential= MassxGravityxHeight and Kinetic= 1/2xMassxVelocity^2. Another thing I learned was who the unit Joules was named after which is James Prescott Joule.
During the initial part of the project, I already had an idea of what we were going to learn from the previous years before since we made (very poor) rollercoasters. So when we talked about Potential and Kinetic Energy, I thought it would be a piece of cake. Although I did learn two new concepts learning this project once more. I learned the equation to find potential and kinetic energy. Dawn taught us hand gestures to help us remember it too. So now I know Potential= MassxGravityxHeight and Kinetic= 1/2xMassxVelocity^2. Another thing I learned was who the unit Joules was named after which is James Prescott Joule.
Efforts on the Project
During this project I put a lot of effort into this. I constantly stressed out and tried working on it whenever I could whether it be during class, lunch, after school, during Jill's class, etc. While I put that much effort I still didn't feel like it was good enough until I got the encouragement from Dawn. This way I ended up finishing the project confident til the very end.