Roller Coaster STEM Challenge (K-5)

lesson overview

Roller Coaster STEM Challenge

Who doesn't love roller coasters? Using the Engineering Design Process, student teams are tasked with designing a thrilling roller coaster ride! Students learn about the science of roller coasters including various forms of energy, and then using common materials such as craft sticks, paper, and tape, students need to design a track for a ping pong ball to land safely in a cup at the bottom. The student packet also includes STEM career highlights of civil engineering and psychology to bring a real-world STEM connection.

Our students loved this activity! While intended to be completed in a one-hour session, the high engagement from students turned the roller coaster STEM challenge into a multi-day project and part of an end-of-year showcase for parents.

As with many STEM activities that are student-driven, this challenge can be tailored to students of various skill levels and abilities.

Included in this product:

• Detailed teacher guide with links to resources

• Instructional video - great for distance learning or support in the classroom!

• Teacher instructional slides

• Editable student handouts: digital and printed versions

• STEM Career Connections

• Real-world STEM history and science handouts

Materials for Challenge:

• Scissors

• Tape

• Ping pong ball for testing

• Materials for a track such as paper, newspaper, construction paper, cardboard (cereal boxes, tissues boxes, etc), paper plates, and toilet paper rolls.

• Materials for a support structure such as cereal boxes, rolled paper (newspaper, construction paper, magazines), or even a chair will work

Looking for more STEM lessons? Click here for a STEM curriculum map and resource guide.

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