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Students Get A Thrill Out Of Roller Coaster Camp
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Rolling a tire down a hill or guiding a remote-controlled truck through a maze may seem like a lot of fun, but for some local high school students it's actually a chance to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. They've gathered on the Clarkson University campus for a scientific roller coaster camp. "We're trying to integrate the concepts of mathematics and physics for them and really give them a sense of how mathematics is applied to areas like physics and engineering as well," said Dave Wick of Clarkson University. You may wonder what rockets and roller coasters have in common. The answer is simple - acceleration, speed and G-forces. That's one way the students are using math and science skills to analyze collected data. "Without even knowing it they are learning all the material for the standardized tests," said Katie Fowler of Clarkson University. They also help design their own simulated roller coaster and then actually ride their creation on Clarkson's programmable virtual roller coaster, complete with a 360-degree pitch and roll. "They have a fan that's inside of there. It makes you actually feel like the wind is in your face," said Eleetah Rich of Harrisville Central School. The students will visit the Great Escape amusement park later in the week armed with meters and other technical equipment to collect data while riding real roller coasters. |
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