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Teachers Resource (pdf) »

The K'NEX® Education Roller Coaster Physics Set is designed to help students as they learn how to design and conduct scientific investigations, identify variables of the problem and select appropriate independent and dependent variables for investigations. They will determine the steps necessary to control a variable, observe and record the response, and interpret the results. They will measure, record, and analyze the data for patterns, construct scatter plots or histograms as a graphic representation of the data, and mathematically interpret those graphs.

This roller coaster set brings physics to life. The set allows students to investigate physics concepts in simple systems, prior to the investigation and application of these concepts in the complex roller coaster system

• Study motion and energy
• Build on previous knowledge and transfer it to new situations
• Investigate velocity, motion, speed, friction, kinetic energy and potential energy
• Compatible with datalogging sensors from Vernier, Pasco, and Texas Instruments
• High level math and calculus concepts are addressed and used
• Encourages classroom interaction
• Using the 3100 pieces build a large roller coaster with loop, half pipes with loops, inclined planes with curves and loops, or ball ramps
• 75 page teacher's guide included
• Colour coded instructions
• Packaged in large storage trays
• Suitable for Key Stages 2 & 3 (ages 7 to 14)
• Build two large models simultaneously. Investigate all aspects of velocity, kinetic and potential energy, work, etc

The Teacher's Guide offers ideas, in the form of nine lab exercises, that outline ways in which students may use the set to study physics, and mechanics. The studies adopt a hands-on, student-inquiry based approach in which the teacher is encouraged to develop each lab investigation using the 5E model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate) of inquiry while students utilize the Four Question Strategy for experiment design.

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