In this project, students will seek to develop a solution to a local, regional, national or international problem. Students will research their topic, envision a solution, and present your work in three ways: (1) a research essay (2) a creative presentation and (3) a STEM connection. They will present your final work to a panel of experts.

Transformation Project Information

In preparation for their own Transformation Projects, the 8th graders journey to UCSB to watch the final round of the UCSB Grad Slam. This event challenges graduate students to present a compelling three minute speech (in the style of TED) that engages the audience. After witnessing the graduate students present their work and voting on the winner, the 8th graders return to campus ready to begin their own research. Their challenge: What problem do they want to solve in the world?

Whether you’re being blasted backwards at 100mph on Superman: Escape from Krypton, or taking a leisurely ride on Jet Stream, all of the fantastic forces you feel are a part of Physics and the energy transformations associated with it. Six Flags serves two purposes:

1. Cumulative Content Assessment: Students will analyze rider for linear and accelerated motion, freefall and 2-dimensional motion, Newton’s 3 laws of motion, impulse and momentum, work, energy and power, conservation of energy, uniform circular motion
2. Inquiry Assessment: Students will create and conduct an experiment in the park to assess their understanding of the experimental design process

Students will use the accelerometers in their phones for the majority of data collection on this day.