Rollercoasters and Forces
Discover the science of forces in this hands-on rollercoaster challenge.
This STEM workshop is fun, interactive and a great way to get kids into physics. Students learn about forces as they build a marble rollercoaster and complete a rollercoaster design challenge.
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.
- Fun opportunities to share and celebrate their designs with their peers.
Students will learn
- That the force of gravity makes rollercoasters move.
- That contact forces (pushes) keep rollercoasters moving along their track.
- How to test and iterate a design.
- Teamwork and collaboration skills.
Other key information
-
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 3 to 4
Minimum 15 students
Maximum 28 students
Bookings
Workshop
Presented by a museum educator
Victorian Curriculum Links
Science: Levels 3 and 4
Physical sciences
-
forces, including frictional, gravitational, electrostatic and magnetic, can be exerted by one object on another through direct contact or from a distance and affect the motion (speed and direction) of objects (VC2S4U10)
Design and Technologies: Levels 3 and 4
Creating designed solutions
-
select and use materials, components, tools and techniques to safely make designed solutions (VC2TDE4D03)
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.
Sign-up to Museum Teachers
Subscribe and get special offers, teacher news and free entry to all museums.
