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Grades 3–8

Online Roller Coaster STEM Project

Grades 3–82 hrsNGSS aligned

Students design, test, and improve their own roller coaster in Qweebi's online Makerspace while learning gravity, potential energy, and kinetic energy.

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  • No supplies needed
  • No downloads or installs
  • Ready-to-run lessons
3D render of a roller coaster track and cart in Qweebi's online Makerspace

Works on Chromebooks, Windows, and Mac

Project Snapshot

  • Grade Level

    Grades 3–8

  • Duration

    2 hrs

  • Teacher Prep

    Under 30 minutes

  • Career Connection

    Mechanical Engineer

  • Core Concepts

    Gravity, Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy

  • Standards

    NGSS: 4-PS3, MS-PS3, 3-5-ETS and more

How This Project Works in Class

In 2 hours, students go from watching real roller coasters in action to investigating the science behind them, then building and sharing their own coaster.

  1. 1

    Intro to Roller Coasters

    The Hook · 15 min

    Students watch a video of the world's tallest roller coaster, meet a mechanical engineer who designs them, and preview the final design challenge.

  2. 2

    Learn the Science

    Science Bootcamp · 45 min

    Students investigate how roller coasters move without engines, climb hills, and stay on track while learning gravity, potential energy, and kinetic energy.

    Screenshot of a Qweebi investigation showing gravity, potential energy, and kinetic energy on a roller coaster track
  3. 3

    Design Your Roller Coaster

    Final EDP Challenge · 45 min

    Students use the Engineering Design Process to plan, build, test, and improve their roller coaster in Qweebi.

    Screenshot of the roller coaster builder interface in Qweebi's online Makerspace
  4. 4

    Record a Show-and-Tell Video

    Reflection · 15 min

    Students record and submit a short video showing their coaster in action, describing their design challenges, and sharing what they learned.

    Screenshot of a student recording a show-and-tell video of their roller coaster design in Qweebi

What Teacher Resources Are Included

Everything you need to prep, launch, and run the Roller Coaster project with confidence.

  • Teacher Slides

    Ready-to-present Google Slides with built-in speaker notes.

  • Student Journals

    Google Docs journals where students record observations, explanations, and reflections.

  • Built-In Qweebi Challenges

    Interactive challenges build science intuition and prepare students for the final design challenge.

  • Step-by-Step Teacher Guide

    A clear guide walks you through how to launch and run your Qweebi project.

What Other Teachers Are Saying

More than 500 teachers have brought the Roller Coaster project to their classrooms.

  • Low prep
    "This project is super hands-on, engaging, and requires no setup or prep. It's truly a dream come true for a teacher working with STEM projects!"
    Photo of Amber Davies, STEM Teacher at Hartington-Newcastle Public School, Nebraska

    Amber Davies

    STEM Teacher, Grades 3–8

    Hartington-Newcastle Public School

    Nebraska, USA

  • Student engagement
    "My 6th graders absolutely loved it! They experimented, iterated, and competed, which made the Roller Coaster project one of the most engaging activities in my curriculum."
    Photo of Kim Smith, STEM Teacher at Saint Raphael School, New Jersey

    Kim Smith

    STEM Teacher, Grades K-8

    Saint Raphael Private School

    New Jersey, USA

  • Leaderboard
    "The Roller Coaster Project strikes the perfect balance between being challenging and rewarding. The leaderboard sparked healthy competition and encouraged students to continuously improve their designs."
    Photo of Dane Huskisson, STEM teacher at Paradise Honors Elementary School, Arizona

    Dane Huskisson

    STEM Teacher, Grades K-5

    Paradise Honors Elementary

    Arizona, USA

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try the Roller Coaster project for free?
Yes. When you sign up for Qweebi, you can try 2 projects free, including the Roller Coaster project, with unlimited classes and students.
What grade levels is this project best for?
The Roller Coaster project is designed for grades 3–8. Younger students can focus on building and testing their coaster, while older students can go deeper into gravity, potential energy, kinetic energy, and the Engineering Design Process.
How long does the project take?
The project takes about 2 hours. Most teachers run it across two or three class periods, depending on their schedule.
Do I need any supplies or kits?
No. Students design, test, and improve their roller coasters in Qweebi's online Makerspace, so there are no physical kits, materials, storage, or cleanup.
What devices does it work on?
Qweebi works on Chromebooks, Windows, and Mac computers with a web browser and internet connection. Nothing needs to be downloaded or installed.
Do I need a STEM background to teach this project?
No. The project includes ready-to-present teacher slides, student journals, built-in Qweebi challenges, and a step-by-step teacher guide to help you run it with confidence.

Ready to Run the Roller Coaster Project With Your Students?

Try it free with your class — minimal prep, no supplies, and nothing to lose.

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