Rollercoasters and Energy
Learn about energy transformations by building marble rollercoasters.
Students turn gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy in this hands-on STEM workshop. This workshop is a fun way for students to explore energy transformations and motion.
Students will experience
- Designing rollercoasters with balls and tracks, working in groups and using limited resources.
- Scaffolded STEM design challenges that help them exercise their creativity, resilience and design thinking.
- Assessing a rollercoaster to determine the points of maximum gravitational potential energy and maximum kinetic energy.
- Fun opportunities to share and celebrate their designs with their peers.
Students will learn
- How rollercoasters work and what makes them move.
- That rollercoasters transform gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy.
- About the conservation of energy.
- The design process, including testing and iterating on a design.
- Teamwork and collaboration skills.
Other key information
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This workshop can be adapted to suit a broad range of ages and levels.
Availability
Terms 1–4, Monday to Friday
Duration: 45 minutes
Student information
Years 7 to 8
Minimum 15 students
Maximum 28 students
Bookings
Workshop
Presented by a museum educator
Victorian Curriculum Links
Science: Levels 7 and 8
Physical sciences
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energy exists in different forms, including thermal, chemical, gravitational and elastic, and may be classified as kinetic or potential; energy transfers (conduction, convection and radiation) and transformations occur in simple systems and can be analysed in terms of energy efficiency (VC2S8U15)
Design and Technologies: Levels 7 and 8
Creating designed solutions
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select, justify and use suitable tools, materials, processes and components to safely make designed solutions (VC2TDE8D03)
Accessibility
Please view our accessibility page for general information. Contact our team on 13 11 02 or email us at [email protected] to discuss how we can support your visit.
Museums Victoria Learning Access Fund
The Museums Victoria Learning Access Fund aims to enhance access to our museums (Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks and Immigration Museum), programs and events by offering free or subsidised education programs for eligible schools. Find out more about the fund.
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