1. Roller Coasters
Introduction to Engineering
Lesson 2

2. Designing a Roller
Coaster
 Review materials in
Blackboard Lesson 2
 Design your own
roller coaster
 Build a model of
your roller coaster
 Evaluate your
project and present
to the class

3. BlackBoard Lesson 2
Resources
• Discover the basics of creating a roller
coaster
• Conduct research on the physics
behind how roller coasters work
• Learn about the lives of two
mechanical engineers
• Develop a better understanding of the
mechanical engineering discipline

4. Designing Your Roller
Coaster
• Work with your assigned group
• Implement the physics concepts you
researched to sketch/plan a roller
coaster
• Experiment with the materials you will
be using to get a better understanding
of these concepts

5. Bringing Your Design to
Life
• Construct your roller coaster using
foam pipe insulation and marble cars
• Test your original design and make
changes as needed
• Challenge yourself to use physics to
develop a more thrilling ride!

6. Presenting to the Class
• Summarize your results in a short
presentation
– Discuss how your finished product is
different from your original plan
– Why did you make these changes?
• Create a video of your presentation
• Be sure to incorporate a successful run
of your roller coaster!

7. Coaster Requirements
and Grading
• Coaster must use only materials
provided
• Additional Points Available!
– Attractive, exciting roller coaster features
• Loops, turns, hills, jumps!
– High quality presentation
• Be sure to include your reasoning and some of
the research that guided your design process!

8. Have fun!
Challenge yourself to make a high
quality, impressive end product!