Roller Coaster Webquest Process

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Roller Coaster Designer
A Webquest by Mrs. McElwee

The Process
Part 1: Research
You must first do some reasearch to find out what types of coasters Cedar Point and Six Flags Worlds of Adventure have. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click on this link to see the Data Collection Sheet #1. Print it out or check to see if your teacher has a copy ready for you to use.
2. Use the websites provided for you in the Resources section and the Data Collection Sheet to gather information about the types, heights, speeds, and lengths of roller coasters from Cedar Point and Six Flags Worlds of Adventure.
3. You will also need to research information about the roller coasters currently at Paramount's King's Island. This information will be used to compare the roller coasters from Cedar Point and Six Flags Ohio.
4. Click on this link to see the Data Collection Sheet for King's Island. Print it out or check to see if your teacher has a copy ready for you to use. You will use this sheet to gather information about Paramount's King's Island's current roller coasters.

The Beast at PKI
Photo courtesy of www.joyrides.com

The Raptor at Cedar Point
Photo courtesy of www.joyrides.com

Part 2: Enhance Your Physics Knowledge
We have been studying the basic physics of roller coasters in class. Before you can begin to think about your roller coaster design, you will do some web activities to increase your knowledge about the requirements of a roller coaster from a physics standpoint. Follow these steps:
1. Go to www.learner.org/exhibits/parkphysics/coaster.html
Scroll down the page and click on the graphic that says, "Design a Roller Coaster." You must work on this activity until your coaster is correctly constructed. You will know it is correct when you get two thumbs up. Go back and make changes if you do not get it right the first time. Print this page once you get two thumbs up. Put your name on it and turn it in right away.
2. Go to www.Funderstanding.com/k12/coaster/
This site loads very slowly, so you will need to be patient! Make adjustments to the current coaster using the buttons. Print a copy of your coaster design once you create one that works well. The first hill must be the tallest one. Put your name on it and turn it in right away.

Part 3: Design Your Coaster
You are now ready to design your coaster. Follow these steps:
1. Look at the information you gathered in Part 1. Think about the types of coasters that Cedar Point and Six Flags Worlds of Adventure have. Think about the coasters Paramount's King's Island has. What type of coaster is not present at King's Island? What type of coaster would you like to design? Begin this process by completing the Coaster Recommendation Sheet. Click on the link to see what it looks like. Print it out or check to see if your teacher has a copy ready for you to use. Fill out this paper first.
2. Now that you have your idea, you will draw a picture of the track layout and train design. Your teacher will give you two pieces of paper. On the first piece, draw the complete track layout. It should be very neat, and it should also be colored. On the second pice of paper, draw a close up of the roller coaster train. It should be very neat, and it should also be colored. Label parts of your drawings to make them very clear to your teacher.
3. Click here to see several examples from past projects.

The Raptor at Cedar Point
Photo by Mrs. McElwee