Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

To the Teacher

Rationale

How to Use This Book

General Background Information

Review of Literature

Correlation Charts: Benchmarks for Science Literacy (2061)

National Science Education Standards (NRC)

Learning Goals and Objectives

General Field Trip Planning

Basic Information

Liability and Safety Regations

Suggested Timeline of Preparation

Region-wide Physics Day

List of Materials

Physics Background and Instructional Strategies

Whiteboarding

Whiteboard Assessment Rubric

Drawing Force Diagrams

Energy

Energy Bar Chart Whiteboard Problems

Making Measurements

Triangulation

Teaching Notes

Triangulation Sextant 1

Triangulation Sextant 2

Horizontal Accelerometer/Sextant Template

Triangulation – General Background

Triangulation of Vertical Distances
Triangulation of Horizontal Distances

Triangulation Whiteboard Problems

Triangulation Practice Problems

Triangulation Lab

Horizontal Accelerometers and Spring Accelerometers

Teaching Notes

Spring Accelerometer A

Spring Accelerometer B

Horizontal Accelerometer: Trigonometry and Scale Drawing Methods

Calculator-Based Accelerometers and Sensors

Accelerometer Whiteboard Problems

Horizontal Accelerometer and Spring Accelerometer Practice Problems

Acceleration Lab

Playground Physics Lab

Elevator Physics Lab

Background Information for Selected Rides

Teaching Notes

Clothoid Loops

Dual-Axis Turning Rides

Tower Thrill Rides

Sample Amusement Park Data

Teaching Notes

Physics is Everywhere Park (PIE Park): Sample Data

General Field Trip Information for Students

Teaching Notes

Important Amusement Park Trip Information

Student-Designed Field Trip Activity for the Amusement Park

Teacher Notes

Amusement Park Physics Project

Pre-Trip Amusement Park Physics Assignment

Sample Write-up – Circular Motion

Rubrics for Project Presentation

Written Amusement Park Report Rubric

America Screams Review Sheet

Scientific American – Roller Coaster Review Sheet

Problem-Based Learning Field Trip Activity

Teaching Notes

Problem-Based Learning: Amusement Park Physics

Amusement Park Field Trip Question Bank

Teaching Notes

Roller Coasters:

Non-Looping

Looping

Water

Spin and Barf Rides:

Rotor

Merry-Go-Round

Tilting Ride

Rotating Swing

Ferris Wheel and Rotating (Vertical Plane) Platform

Dual-Axis Turning Ride

Double Ferris Wheel

Tower Rides:

Observation

Free-Fall

Miscellaneous Rides and Attractions:

Bumper Cars

Pendulum Ride

3-D Movie

Summary Analysis of Data

Annotated Formulae

Teaching Notes

Annotated Formulae

Evaluation

Teaching Notes

Student Evaluation Form

Teacher Evaluation Form

Answer Key