Time |
Event |
Details |
|||
9:00-10:00 |
Opening |
General Introduction |
Demonstrations & Principles | ||
10:10-10:55 |
Session 1 |
First Timers |
Low Tech Data Collection |
Ride Science - HS |
Apps @ the Park |
11:00-11:45 |
Session 2 |
First Timers |
High Tech Data Collection
& Graph Interpretation |
Ride Science - MS |
Apps @ the Park |
11:50-12:45 |
Session 3 |
Sample Contests &
Interactive Activities |
Mars Lander Model Coaster Paper Airplane DNA Extraction Cardboard Boat |
||
12:45 |
Closing |
Passes Given Out |
Mars Lander Drop |
Title |
Description |
Demonstrations &
Principles |
A collection of
demonstrations that bring principles from the amusement
park into your classroom. The lead presenter was the
originator of Physics Day at Great America back in 1983. |
First Timers | A session for inexperienced
teachers. Topics that will be discussed: Issues with
bringing a class to the park, Preparing your class for PSM
Day, Equipment to bring, Expectations, etc. Discussion
will be geared to the level of your students. |
Low Tech Data Collection |
Explore the type of data
that can be obtained with hand-held accelerometers. Theory
of the operation of these accelerometers will be included
as well as a discussion of acceleration versus force. |
Ride Science |
Both high
school-appropriate (HS) and middle school-appropriate (MS)
presentations will be made. This session is geared toward
answering questions about the underlying science concepts. |
Apps @ the Park |
A number of applications
are available for smart phones and tablets that can be
successfully used at amusement parks. Several will be
demonstrated including some that are free. |
High Tech Data Collection
& Graph Interpretation |
Learn how students will be
able to gather data on amusement park rides
electronically. Then get a quick lesson on how to
interpret the wiggles and squiggles that appear on the
graphs. |
Sample Contests &
Interactive Activities |
A collection of some of the
varioius activities that are available on PSM Days at
California's Great America. Teachers will have a chance to
try them out for themselves. The Cardboard Boat Contest
will be a scaled down version that should be usable in
individual classrooms. And as a special feature, the Mars
Landers will be dropped to see if they survive, just like
at PSM Days. |