Year 9 CEAP Science Excursion

On Thursday, the 5th of September, our Year 9 CEAP students embarked on an exciting educational adventure to Scienceworks in Spotswood. The excursion was designed to provide a hands-on experience when exploring the factors that influence the motion of roller coasters, focusing on the physics of energy, force, and motion. 

Upon arrival at Scienceworks, the students were immediately engaged in an interactive session where they investigated how changing the shape and height of a roller coaster track can affect its speed, stability, and overall motion. The students had the opportunity to build their own roller coaster models, testing how different track designs influence the outcome. By altering variables such as slope height and curves, they were able to observe the impact these factors have on the ride’s velocity and the forces acting on it. 

The enthusiasm and curiosity of our students were a delight to witness. Each group was responsible for designing and testing their roller coasters, and they worked with precision and thoughtfulness. The students were actively engaged in the learning process and they demonstrated excellent behaviour throughout the day. They were focused, asked thoughtful questions, and collaborated effectively with one another. 

The experience reinforced important scientific principles, such as gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, and friction. It also allowed students to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they adjusted or improved their designs. Our excursion to Scienceworks was not just about science – it also encouraged students to work as a team, think creatively, and be responsible for their own learning. 

Their responsible behaviour and commitment to the tasks should be commended - they clearly took ownership of their learning. A special thank you to Scienceworks for providing such a rich learning environment, and to our dedicated students who made the day such a success. We look forward to more explorations like this, where the world of science becomes an exciting playground for discovery! Let’s continue to nurture this curiosity and enthusiasm back in the classroom.