Saturday, April 08, 2006

The Most Incredible, Unbelievable Roller Coaster Ever


...which no one would ever ride probably.

Not a problem for master design/structural engineer, Josh Wright. :)

This was a result of some of our studies in physics this week. After watching the Nova video, Roller Coaster, and reading from various books on roller coasters and the physics involved with them I let him have at building his own coaster. He had a great time, even at one point designing a coaster that


"jumped track (tube)" AND actually worked as the engineer tested each design, including the jumped track one, using a bead through the tube.

This idea was in the Dec/Jan 2000-20001 issue of The Mailbox - Intermediate. This is a magazine for teachers in the classroom but many of their ideas can be easily tailored to homeschoolers. Josh had a great time and spent the rest of the afternoon in this "masterly inactivity" as Charlotte Mason would say, all of his own choice.

Can't ask for better "schooling" than that, I say. :)

4 Comments:

Blogger Angela said...

That is so cool! If he is really into coaster science, have him check out www.hersheypark.com. They have free educational materials for their homeschool day about the physics of coasters and other rides, for download. We really had a fun time with it last spring.

4:06 PM  
Blogger Theresa said...

That looks like alot of fun! I'll have to show this to Superboy. He's been wondering what you guys have been up to.

8:31 PM  
Blogger barbara said...

Mother Crone,
Thanks for sharing the link. We will definitely check it out.Josh was amazed at all the science that goes into the designing and building of these rides.

8:08 AM  
Blogger barbara said...

Theresa,

Good to see you. Josh has been immersed in the pirates game his brother got him as a birthday present and mentions Superboy's name constantly when he is playing lol. Have been enjoying your bird pics on your blog. We have a few new ones on our bird blog which is linked on the sidebar of this blog.BUT they are nowhere as good as your closeups!

8:37 AM  

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