Final Design and Motion Projects!

As mentioned in a previous post, I did not really like the final assessment activity for the design and motion unit.  After a colleague presented me with a roller coaster video and activity, I got to thinking, this would be a GREAT assessment for the kids to create a roller coaster.  They not only had to create one roller coaster, but also had to create an entire amusement park!  They had to create all aspects of the park, including kiddie rides, food vendors, and a variety of other activities!  They had to figure out the pricing of each activity and decide how their park would be "laid" out.  Where should the bathrooms be?  Where should the kiddie rides be?  Where should the food vendors be?  ETC.

I have to say that most of the students did a pretty amazing job.  They understood that to design a roller coaster is a pretty daunting task because EVERYTHING  has to be just right so that it can go from start to finish and not have any problems!  They understood friction and how it correlates with motion and they even understood why the design of something affects the motion of that particular vehicle or contraption.  I took some photos of my favorite parks.  The kids got creative and a couple of them created 3D parks!  The one below was done by my "artist" of the class, RJ.  He created an army themed park including tanks, a watch tower, and even an American Flag ride!  Check it out!!!!

The kids really only had to create maps for their parks, check out my favorite map below!  They included everything in their park map, including their food vendors and kiddie land!  LOVED all the details they put into their map!!!!