In Science Club, Year 7 students have been exploring their creative side once more, taking part in an exciting challenge to design, create and craft a paper roller-coaster. The task aimed to showcase how varied Physics can be, whilst teaching students all about gravitational potential energy.
With paper in one hand and sellotape in the other, students began to construct their creations with loops and inclines taking shape. Our keen Year 7s were also encouraged to trial their roller-coasters by placing a marble at the start to see how potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, or the energy of motion. As the marbles raced down and back up again, students were able to see first-hand kinetic energy being lost and thus, learnt how they could ensure their roller-coasters provide their marbles with a constant stream of energy to take it to the end.
Science teacher and Club Leader, Mrs Hammond, explained how these factors need to be taken into consideration in order to make a successful roller-coaster and provided lots of advice on how to make them extra fast, exciting and thrilling!
