New for 2010
 

First Timers Checklist

Planning Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions
 

Curricular Activities

   Electronic Data Collection

    2010 PSM Days Map

   Links
 

Contests for 2010
 

    Data Gathered 2009

    Photos from 2009

    2009 PSM Days Map

 

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/Science/Math Days.

Students at Great America have access to one of the world's largest laboratories for carrying our real-world science experiments. While on the 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 Tower. We encourage teachers to prepare their students to make the most out of the opportunity that is present at P/S/M Days. Choose quality activities that will engage them and help them to learn more about the science behind their amusement park experience. That is why we've prepared this website and why we produce the CD-ROM that is jam-packed with activities, hints, tips and suggestions.

Dates for 2009-10

Teacher Orientation - an opportunity to learn from the Teacher Steering Committee about what your students can do and learn at Physics/Science/Math Days. Our TO was held on Oct. 24, and if we missed you, we hope you will join us in 2010 when we have another Teacher Orientation.

2009 Flyer for PSM Days - The flyer for the 2009 Physics/Science/Math Days that was mailed to teachers is available to download as two pdf files here. The first sheet is an, Information Sheet while the second sheet is the order form used to obtain tickets for P/S/M Days. When the Flyer for 2010 is ready, it will be available on this website.

2010 Pricing - The pricing for 2010 was announced at the Teacher Orientation. Early Bird pricing is $23 per ticket before April, $25 after that or on the day of the event. There are other options but generally they will be $1 more for 2010 than they were for 2009. As before, there will be one chaperone ticket per each 15 tickets purchased. Watch for specific details when the flyer is published in early December.
 

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. 26 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 will be new in 2010u

We will have a fresh new set of interactive activities and contests. Most of the previous activities will be back again but will be augmented by the new lineup. For some, an entry form will be included that needs to be submitted prior to coming to the park.

The lineup is posted online, and although the rules are not completely finalized, the files should give students and teachers a good idea of what to expect.

Click here for the 2010 Contest and Interactive Activities

The whole packet of park activities will be posted online here and on the Great America website. We encourage all teachers to read through a sample of the activities and choose ones that are appropriate and engaging for their students to do during P/S/M Days.

CD-ROM: The Physics Day Teacher Committee produces a complete packet of activities, much of the information and a host of additional resources on a CD for 2010. The worksheets are included in MS Word, PDF and HTML format so you can either browse, print or modify as needed for your students.