Phase 3 Science: Internet Research and Information
During Phase 3, students expand their knowledge of roller coasters in five activities that involve Internet research.

1. Internet Scavenger Hunt: Students work in pairs finding answers to a list of questions at specific Web sites.

Student Handout: Internet Scavenger Hunt

2. Diagramming Newton's Laws: Students gather information from Web sites and build a diagram on Newton's Laws using Inspiration software .

Sample student diagrams on Newton's Law

3. Database for Researching Roller Coasters: Students search the Internet for roller coaster Web sites. Each student creates a database table of seven or so sites and classifies each as a good source for:

• Force and motion tutorials
• Roller coaster design elements
  
• History of roller coasters or amusement parks
  
• Current roller coaster statistics-highest drop, fastest, etc.

  Database activity and student sample

The database of over 1000 compiled records was cleaned up for redundancies and errors by aides. The resulting Roller Coaster database of over 80 sites was used by all classes in the remaining phases of the project.

Roller Coaster Database

4. Testing Designs with Online Simulations: Three Web sites provide opportunities to test roller coaster design ideas and principles.

Designing Simulated Roller Coasters Online