Model Coaster Contest

Great America is proud to introduce The 10th Annual Roller Coaster Building Contest in conjunction with the Physics/Science/Math Days to be held on Friday, May 7, May 14, & May 21, 2010. To find out how you and your school can enter this exciting contest, read the rules and suggestions that follow.

Roller coasters are called "gravity rides" for a good reason: once the coaster has been dragged to the top of the first hill and released, it is the force of gravity that keeps the coaster going all the way back to the station platform at the end of the ride. As the coaster goes through its twists, turns, rolls, and loops, it gains and loses its initial potential energy (supplied by dragging it up the first hill). Energy changes from potential into kinetic energy and back into potential energy. Since some of this initial energy is lost due to friction the roller coaster can never rise as high as the first hill. The roller coaster you will design is also a "gravity ride".

We are encouraging schools to build and enter roller coaster models built by teams of students in either of the two grade categories: Grades 5-8 or Grades 9-12. Materials that seem logical include wood, wire, string, twine, doweling, toothpicks, cardboard, construction paper, glue, tape or other low cost items. Commercially available roller coaster kits are discouraged although ideas obtained while building them might profitably be incorporated in the final design. In the "Spirit of the Competition," the key ingredients are creativity and application of science principles. Doing a great job is encouraged over spending lots of money to complete the project.

Awards:

The Model Roller Coaster Contest Awards will be divided into two (2) basic categories: Technical/Performance and Additional. The description of each follows:

Technical/Performance

Roller coasters will judged based on three categories as explained below:

1. Technical Merit

2. Theme and Creativity

3. Most exciting to ride

First & Second Place Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

1. Grades 5-8

2. Grades 9-12

The daily winners from the first two days, May 7 and May 14, will be invited back on May 21 and provided with complimentary passes. On May 21, the overall winners will be determined and prizes awarded.

Additional Awards

Based on the rulings of the judges, additional models will be recognized in a variety of categories. Some examples might include but not be limited to:

* Judges' Choice

* Most Enjoyable

* Most Technical

* Most Likely to be Built

* Most Creative Theming

* Best Use of Space

Rules:

1. Size restrictions - the base must fit within a square footprint that is 75 cm x 75 cm. The overall track must fit within a rectangular box 75 cm x 75 cm x 100 cm high, including all decorations.

In practice, the team will place their model in a 3-sided form such as shown on the right. If any portion sticks outside the form, the model must be modified until all portions are inside or it will be disqualified. (You should check to make sure you can successfully carry your model in the bus or vehicle you are taking to Physics Day!)

2. The model should be designed for a steel ball or glass marble. This means that the steel ball or glass marble when released from the top of the first hill by the judge will travel through the entire ride, and arrive at the bottom loading platform. (Note: for this contest, you will raise the steel ball or glass marble by hand from the loading platform to the top of the first hill to start the "ride".)

3. A ball must be provided by the team so that it can be tested on judging day. The ball must be either a glass marble of regular size or greater (shooter), or a steel ball that is 1 cm (1/2") diameter or greater.

4. The ball must remain in contact with the track at all times. The following are prohibited: free-fall of the marble, uncontrolled movement through a funnel, frisbee, disc or similar. If there is a question about legality of a design, questions may be posed to the Physics Day webmaster: webmaster@physicsday.org

5. Magnets, electricity, springs and other forms of energy may not be used - this is a "gravity ride" only. These other sources of energy can be used for aesthetics (eg, background lighting). No access to 100-volt ac electricity is provided in the contest area.

6. The starting position at the top of the first hill should be clearly marked. The steel ball or glass marble must end in a designated area or container.

7. Each competing team can have a maximum of 4 students. The maximum number of teams from a school is 4.

The full rules and procedures will be posted here soon

Location:

Showtime Theater

Time:

Will be announced here soon

Posted 10/23/2009