The Energy of Roller Coasters

Do you know what energy is? Our 8th grade students at Mother Teresa Regional School can answer that question. Right now the students are learning about energy, the various forms that it takes, and how it is transformed and conserved. The ability to do work or cause change is called energy. Students have been brainstorming, sketching, modeling and constructing our own roller coasters. The goal was to design a roller coaster that used kinetic and potential energy to move. First students had to brainstorm the characteristics of a fun roller coaster, taking into consideration how fast the roller coaster moved and how its speed changed throughout the ride. Materials were then chosen to use and a few designs sketched. The students are currently in the construction phase of the project and working to be sure that the coaster is successful.

Mother Teresa Regional School is a Catholic school located in Atlantic Highlands serving the children of the Bayshore.  The science program utilizes hands on experiments to engage students in the curriculum.  The science program has won in the Stars Challenge at Monmouth University for the past two years. For more information visit mtregional.com or call (732) 291-1050.