Curricular Activities

Planning Checklist

First Timers Checklist

Contests at PSM Days

Contest Winners for 2007

Photos from 2007

Graph Matching Activity

Electronic Data Collection

Data Collected May 2 May 9 May 16

FAQ's

Links

2008 PSM Days Map

2008 PSM Days Map - b/w

2008 Flyer w/ Order Form

Physics Day

Imagine 10,000 students at Great America, armed with worksheets, calculators and accelerometers, all taking part in one of the largest physics lab activities in the world - Amusement Park Physics.

Where can the experimenter step into the experiment and subject him/herself to forces in excess of 3 G's? Where can they experience zero-G and live to tell the tale? Where can they verify the PHYSICS they've been learning all year long? Where else but at Great America on Physics Day, Science Day or Math Day.

And all in the name of SCIENCE!

Students at Great America have one of the world's largest laboratories for carrying our real-world science experiments at their disposal. While on rides, they experience a dizzying array of forces. Where did they feel which kind of force? And ultimately, why did they feel those particular forces there?

The beauty of Physics/Science/Math Days lies in linking classroom theory with the reality of what happens on multiple-g rides like Vortex and Drop Zone. We trust that teachers will prepare their students to make the most out of the opportunity that is present at P/S/M Days. That is why we've prepared this website and why we produced the CD-ROM that is jam-packed with activities, hints, tips and suggestions.

Dates for 2007-08

* While we could refer to any of these three special days as "Physics Day", schools decide to attend on a specific day for a variety of reasons. The three days are essentially identical and we encourage teachers to choose the date that works best for them.

2008 Flyer for PSM Days The flyer for the 2008 Physics/Science/Math Days that is mailed to teachers is available to download as a pdf file here. It can be used to print out the order form and finalize your planning for the 2008 visit to Great America.
 

A Brief History

Physics Day at Great America was started in 1983 by Don Rathjen from Foothill High School. Initially, he brought his physics students to the park on a normal operating day. In the second year, he brought three other teachers and their physics students to Great America, armed with accelerometers and calculators to study the physics behind roller coasters.

Over the years, Physics Day grew until the park opened up on a non-operating day, exclusively for physics students. The number of students grew, and the number of middle school science students attending the park had also grown. Two separate days were scheduled, one for high school physics, the other for middle school science. In 1995, a third day was added to accommodate math students who explore applications of mathematics in the real world.

Physics Day, now Physics/Science/Math Days, has been in continuous operation since 1983. It's one of the only special days of its type where the park is open only to students and teachers for educational purposes. 24 years and going strong!

A steering committee of physics, science and math teachers develops materials that are published for students and teachers, including these web pages and a CD-ROM of resources for teachers and students. The committee works closely with the park to improve these special days, and conducts an annual Teacher Orientation. The Group Sales Department at Great America works hard to make these days a success for teachers and students from throughout Northern California and as far north as British Columbia, Canada.

What's new for 2008

Great America has been officially re-named California's Great America as indicated on the logo above. After a year of transition, Great America is one of the strongest parks within the Cedar Fair family of theme parks.

Taking guests head-over-heels this season will be FireFall. This new thrill ride will take 40 brave riders to a height of 60 feet, then subject them to 360 degree vertical arcs as they twist, turn and spin through both fire and water effects. FireFall is manufactured by Huss of Germany and promises to be the hottest ticket in 2008. A sample activity will be linked here in the near future.

(Official rumor has it that there will be a new coaster for 2009. Watch for more news about that development over time.)

Flight Deck -- As the park changes over to Cedar Fair, some rides will get re-named. The great ride we all know as Top Gun will henceforth be known as Flight Deck. It's the same ride, same theming, just a new name. This goes along with the re-naming of Revolution to HMB Endeavor. We will try to keep you up with changes like these as we move along.

Drop Tower -- The ride's the same, but the name is new. Drop Zone has been re-named Drop Tower! Same thrills and good physics.

Contest Rules: Have been revised for 2008. If you have questions, contact the webmaster.

CD-ROM: The Physics Day Teacher Committee reproduces the complete printed packet of activities, much of the information and a host of additional resources on a CD for 2008. The worksheets are included in MS Word, PDF and HTML format so you can either browse, print or modify as needed for your students.