STEM Minute | Using roller coasters to teach scientific concepts

CERRO GORDO, Ill. (WAND) — Experience in the lab is a key tool to helping kids understand concepts that are being taught in the classroom. They also have the potential to leave a lasting impression on students ingraining what they have learned with everyday tasks to help them gain a better understanding.

Students at Cerro Gordo High School had the unique experience of building roller coasters using Styrofoam and marbles.

Kevin Aten, a science teacher at Cerro Gordo High School, said, "We tried to get it set up so that they are using their hands working with each other and just using their imaginations."

They worked in teams over several days to complete the project and then put their designs head-to-head in a competition.

"I have split them up into teams so they can improve this is just one project that build on itself."

However, Aten said that funding is a major obstacle to being able to complete labs and experiences like these.

"The materials were handy I could just grab hold of the materials," said Alten. "One of the biggest problems we've had in the sciences is the funding for any of these and when you are doing these kinds of projects, they are expensive, so we want to find some projects that are relatively inexpensive to work on."

The main goal for these students is to use their creativity while making connection between the labs and the concepts that they are being taught.

"I see using their imagination but when we get into actually doing the content area, they're familiar with what they were working on, and it has something they can just draw on immediately to make the connections."

The experience teaching kids that what goes up must come down, which is demonstrated as their marbles fall down the track. While also proving that their ideas can become a reality.