Marble Roller Coaster G-Force STEM Challenge (FME02) | Middle School Physical Science (Grades 6-8)

? MARBLE ROLLER COASTER G-FORCE STEM CHALLENGE (FME02)

3-Page STEM Activity | Print-Ready PDF Format

Explore potential energy, centripetal force, and amusement park physics! The Marble Roller Coaster G-Force Challenge (FME02) challenges middle school student teams to act as mechanical thrill-ride engineers, designing a gravity-driven foam coaster track to guide a marble through a 360-degree vertical loop and into a finish cup.

Students explore gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy conversion, centripetal force, G-forces, friction loss, and energy efficiency ratios!

? WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS 3-PAGE PACKET?

• ? Page 1: Teacher Guide & Lesson Plan: NGSS alignment (MS-PS2-2, MS-PS3-1, MS-PS3-2), target science concepts, track prep guide, expected student outcomes, answer keys, and energy ratio troubleshooting tips.

• ? Page 2: Student Mission Card & Blueprint: Real-world coaster engineering and energy conversion scenario hook. Clear material limits box (foam pipe insulation tracks, glass marble, tape, cup, meter stick). Dedicated Roller Coaster Track & Loop Schematic sketching zone.

• ? Page 3: Testing Log & Scientific Reflection: Structured Data Testing Table (drop heights, loop diameters, loop completion success, finish cup landing). Applied Math Connection (calculate loop height to drop height energy efficiency ratios). Physics reflection questions.

? CORE STEM SKILLS COVERED:

• Amusement Park Physics, Gravitational Potential & Kinetic Energy

• Centripetal Force, Inertia, Velocity Vectors & G-Forces

• Data Logging, Precision Metric Heights (cm), and Ratio Calculations

• Track Friction Reduction and Structural Support Optimization

? WHY TEACHERS LOVE THIS RESOURCE:

• 3-Page Professional Layout: Includes a complete Teacher Guide for effortless prep, keeping student lab sheets clean and ready to print!

• Low-Cost Materials: Uses inexpensive foam pipe insulation tubes, marbles, masking tape, and plastic cups.

• High-Impact Physics Lab: Transforms energy conservation equations into an exhilarating, hands-on engineering test!

• Format: High-resolution, print-ready PDF format (3 Pages).

Target Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th / Middle School

Subject Area: Physical Science, Physics, Forces and Motion, Potential and Kinetic Energy, Amusement Park Physics

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