Kings Dominion Coaster Mania Building Contest 2017

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Austen Gardner
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1 Updated 1/28/17 1 Kings Dominion Coaster Mania Building Contest 2017 Kings Dominion is proud to introduce our Annual Roller Coaster Building Contest in conjunction with the 2017 Education Days to be held on Friday, April 7 th, 21 st, 28 th, May 5 th, 12 th, 19 th, 26 th, and June 2 nd. To find out how you and your school can enter this exciting contest, read the rules and suggestions that follow. Roller coasters are called gravity rides for a good reason: once the coaster has been dragged to the top of the first hill and released, it is the force of gravity that keeps the coaster going all the way back to the station platform at the end of the ride. As the coaster goes through its twists, turns, rolls, and loops, it gains and loses its initial potential energy (supplied by dragging it up the first hill). Energy changes from potential into kinetic energy and back into potential energy. Since some of this initial energy is lost due to friction, the roller coaster can never rise as high as the first hill. The roller coaster you will design is also a "gravity ride". We are encouraging schools to build and enter roller coaster models built by teams of students in one of the three grade categories: Grades K-5, Grades 6-8 or Grades Materials that seem logical include wood, wire, string, twine, doweling, toothpicks, cardboard, construction paper, glue, tape or other low cost items. Commercially available roller coaster kits are discouraged although ideas (not materials) obtained while building them may be incorporated in the final design. In the Spirit of the Competition the key ingredients are creativity and application of science principles. Doing a great job is encouraged over spending lots of money to complete the project. Roller coasters will judged based on three categories as explained below: a. Technical Merit b. Theme and Creativity c. Most exciting to ride Overall Winner Trophies will be awarded in the following categories: a. Grades K-5 b. Grades 6-8 c. Grades 9-12 Teams will also be able to qualify for the following Superlative Categories: a. Most Thrilling/Frightening b. Best Name c. Most Creative/Unique

2 Updated 1/28/17 2 Coaster Model Rules (a) Size restrictions - the base must fit within a square footprint that is 75 cm x 75 cm. The overall track must fit within a theoretical rectangular box 75 cm x 75 cm x 100 cm high, including all decorations. 100 cm 75 cm (b) The model should be designed for a steel ball or glass marble. This means that the steel ball or glass marble when released from the top of the first hill by the judge will travel through the entire ride, and arrive at the bottom loading platform. (Note: for this contest, you will raise the steel ball or glass marble by hand from the loading platform to the top of the first hill to start the ride.) (c) A ball must be provided by the team so that it can be tested on judging day. The ball must be either a glass marble of regular size or greater, or a steel ball that is 1 cm (1/2 ) diameter or greater. (d) Magnets, electricity, springs and other forms of energy may not be used - this is a gravity ride only. These other sources of energy can be used for esthetics (e.g. background lighting). No electricity is provided in the contest area. (e) The starting position at the top of the first hill should be clearly marked. The steel ball or glass marble must end in a designated area or container. (f) Each competing team can have a maximum of 4 students. All students need to be involved in the design, building, and testing of the coaster. Building assistance is allowed to maintain student safety as outlined by your school policies. (g) The decision of the judges is final. Any coaster that violates the rules above or the spirit of the competition will be disqualified.

3 Updated 1/28/17 3 Judging Criteria Technical Merit (50 pts) Each model will be entitled to three runs. The longest time to go from the Start position to the Finish will be the official time for that model. (50 pts maximum) Vertical Loop(s) Vertical loop is defined as any time the rider is upside down on a loop of track that is within 10 of vertical (see illustration below). If the vertical loop is a portion of a corkscrew (helix), it counts as a vertical loop. Horizontal loops do not add bonus points. (5 pts. each) Points may be awarded for degree of openness of track. (maximum 15 pts.) Closed More Open Most Open Support Tube Supports Points may be awarded for engineering, including use of unusual materials, quality of workmanship, solutions to design or function issues, etc. New this year: a greater emphasis will be placed on energy recapture. A coaster that continually falls will receive fewer points than a coaster that builds potential energy during the "ride" (maximum 15 pts.) Theme (creativity) (30 pts) The model roller coaster will be judged for its merits as a possible ride to be purchased by an amusement park. Theming is an essential element of a new ride. Rider Enjoyment (15 pts) The model roller coaster will be judged for rider enjoyment. This is based on how much the judges think park guests would enjoy riding the coaster if it were to be built at Kings Dominion. Student Inquiry (20 pts) Student Inquiry points will be awarded based on the rubric below. Students will be asked a few questions about the design and methods used to create the coaster. (Example: How did you make sure the marble stayed in the loop you created? or Was that loop always in that position or did you place it there after several trials? or Which part of your coaster demonstrates the storage of potential energy? ) Follow-up questions to student answers should be expected. The actual questions asked will be specific to each coaster and how the course runs. Specific calculations, angle measures, etc. will not be part of the questioning but can be part of the answer (not required). No studying required, students only need to be an informed member of their team. Questions may be asked to more than one team member.

4 Updated 1/28/17 4 Documentation (1) Each team must attach a 3 x 5 index card to the ride. The front of the card should include: Name of the Roller Coaster Grade Level (K-5, 6-8, or 9-12) The back of the card (not showing) should include: School Name Members of the Team with grade level Teacher Name Teacher's contact phone number (2) Each team should complete the Coaster Mania Registration Form located online at The contest rules and idea is based on Canada's Wonderland and California s Great America Roller Coaster Building Contests. Information for Points Calculations The rubric below may be used by teachers as they work with their classes. The rubric used by the judges will be nearly identical to the matrix below. Calculation of Points for Time The points awarded for time will be based on the time taken within each grade level (K-5, 6-8, 9-12). Full point will be awarded for any time that exceeds the maximum time for your grade level. Example 1: assume the maximum time was 15 seconds and your coasters best time was 9 seconds: Points = 30 points x (your time / maximum time) Points = 30 points x (9 sec / 15 sec) = 18 points Example 2: assume the maximum time was 15 seconds and your coasters best time was 18 seconds: Points = 30 points x (your time / maximum time) Points = 30 points x (18 sec / 15 sec) = 30 points (time points cannot exceed 30)

5 Category Points Updated 1/28/17 5 Scoring Rubric Track Openness (TM) Mostly closed ~25% open ~50% open >80% open Engineering (TM) Nothing unusual. Little knowledge of design process. Some novel materials or solutions to design issues Some novel materials and solutions to design issues. Shows some energy recapture. Many novel materials and solutions to design issues. Shows clear energy recapture in multiple areas. Vertical Loops (TM) 0 Loops 1 Loop 2 Loops 3 Loops 4 Loops Student Inquiry (SI) Answers demonstrate no coaster. Answers demonstrate little science, and/or design of their coaster. Answers to several questions demonstrate science, and/or design of their coaster. Answers to many questions demonstrate clear coaster. Answers to all questions demonstrate clear coaster. Majority of team answered questions. Would attract visitors (TC) Wouldn't attract Might attract visitors with minor adjustments Strong attraction Definite Theme (TC) No theme Theme but little follow through Theme throughout ride Theme well done throughout Category Points Realistic construction (TC) Very difficult to build Fairly difficult to build Can be built with some minor adjustments Reasonable to build "Realistic" Ride (RE) Unrealistic for people. Marble bounces and/or rattles around Possible but harsh for people. Could hurt people wobbly ride. Generally reasonable. Maybe a bounce or two, or questionable sections. People would ride safely. Smooth run from start to finish. G-forces (RE) Base ride very minor g-forces A few good force changes Awesome! The real thing is a must ride for thrill seekers Unexpected thrills (RE) None Minor thrills detected At least one good thrill 2 or more good thrills KEY TO CATEGORIES: (TM) = Technical Merit, (TC) = Theme (creativity), (RE) = Rider Enjoyment, (SI) = Student Inquiry Time Trials: Best Time: Time Points Awarded (TM) = Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3

Model Roller Coaster Contest 2017

Model Roller Coaster Contest 2017 California s Great America is proud to offer you and your group, entry into this year s Model Roller Coaster Contest. To find out how you and your school can enter this