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Reviewed by:
Lilach Cary
Middle School Life Science and Physical Science Teacher
Albert Einstein Academy
Location:
Disney's California Adventure
1313 Disneyland Dr.
Anaheim, CA 92802
GPS Coordinates
Description:
Disney California Adventure Park is a Southern California theme park featuring Disney and Pixar characters and stories at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim in seven different "lands." The 72-acre park, which opened in 2001, is themed after the history and culture of the state of California. The 72-acre (29 ha) park is themed after the history and culture of the state of California. Areas in the park include: Grizzly Peak, Buena Vista Street, Paradise Pier, Pacific Wharf, Hollywood Land, Bug's Land, and Car's Land.
On this trip, head to Disney California Adventure Park to experience physics principles like kinetic energy and speed at work, and learn the role science plays in engineering some of the most thrilling attractions.
On this trip students will
Apply problem‐solving techniques to everyday situations.
Identify, define and illustrate potential and kinetic energy.
Identify, define and discuss speed, velocity and acceleration.
Discuss and illustrate inertia and horizontal forces.
Illustrate the Law of Conservation of Energy.
Illustrate Newton's First and Third Laws of Motion.
Articulate various forms of energy.
Discuss physical factors that influence the roller coaster design.
Identify the utilization of pneumatics and magnets in relation to roller coaster lift systems.
Experience physics in practical applications that demonstrate force, motion, and gravity.
Identify different efforts in conservation around the park.
Learn about engineering designs and inventions by famous California inventors
Identify plant life indigenous to California.
The park is owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company.
Cost of entry: $99 per ticket (special field trip pricing in groups)
For a list of park rules and prohibited items click here.
For an interactive map, click here.
Audience:
A physics or physical science teacher would benefit visiting Disney California Adventure Park because their students would be able to apply physics concepts and engineering practices to their experiences at the park. They would be able to see force and motion in practice and see how inginuity is used to solve problems in the design of rides like the Tower of Terror and California Screamin'.
A life science teacher could use this trip to explore some of the flora and fauna of the park, and see how The Walt Disney Company is going "green" around the park.
A history teacher could use this trip to investigate California History and inventions that influenced the world, for example the pelton wheel and its uses in modern turbines.
Science Concepts Addressed:
Newton's Laws of Motion: Students experience the starts and stops of the rides, and experience the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.
Potential and Kinetic Energy: As roller coasters go up and down their tracks, energy is conserved. Students experience how energy is transferred back and forth between kinetic energy and potential energy. Examples: CA Screamin', Goofy's Flight School, Grizzly River Run, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Mickey's Fun Wheel
Conservation: The Walt Disney Company works towards being more green and conserving resources. Students can see evidence of recycling, growing food that is used by the restaurants on site, with surplus donated to local food banks, use of cats as pest control, recycling water, etc., planting plant species indigenous to California that are more drought tolerant, etc.
Calculating physics concepts like: speed, velocity, acceleration, friction, and centripetal force on various attractions.
Determining the amount of pressure on the rafts of Grizzly River Run
Learning about the history of flight: While waiting in line, students research famous pilots featured on Soarin'
Engineering Practices: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is not the average "drop ride." Rather than using compressed air as the ride drops and bounces back up, Disney Imagineers invented a new roller coaster that works like a slingshot, pull riders down and launching them back up. Students can calculate their acceleration and compare it to that of gravity on this ride.
Practicing triangulation: to estimate the height of the Grizzly Bear in front of Grizzly River Run and determining what his mass would be if he were a live bear.
Study Guide:
Map of the park:
Link to interactive map of park:
Downloadable park maps for your phone:
Disneyland California Mini Guide (free)
Disneyland Magic Guide (free)
Photographs:
Conservation Efforts:
Conservation: The Walt Disney Company works towards being more green and conserving resources. Students can see evidence of recycling, growing food that is used by the restaurants on site, with surplus donated to local food banks, use of cats as pest control, recycling water, etc., planting plant species indigenous to California that are more drought tolerant, etc.
California History:
Tree rings and California History:Students are able to investigate California's history by examining this 2,000 year old tree and it's rings.
They are also able to learn about the history of inventions, like this pelton wheel, developed by Lester Pelton, who was able to create a more powerful waterwheel that is still used around the world in turbines.
Forces and Motion
Students are able to investigate force and motion. On California Screamin', students see how magnetism plays into launching students into this ride. They are also able to investigate kinetic and potential energy, and force of gravity acting on them as they make their way through the rides' loop.
On Silly Symphony students calculate the revolutions per minute, and are able to experience the centripetal force as they are pulled around on their swing. They are able to relate this motion to the relationship between the Sun and other planets in our solar system as we are constantly pulled back in. Students can experience similar sensations on rides like Flik's Flyers, and the Golden Zephyr.
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