The Details
For more information contact

Student limit per session: 55 students 

Chaperone requirements: 2 teachers, 4 chaperones

Session duration: 90 minutes

Time: 9:30am-11am on select Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Session Fee: $350 with $100 non refundable deposit

History of Homewood's John Miller
A Roller Coaster Inventor in the 1900's

Roller Coasters: An Inventor’s Journey begins with a history lesson on John Miller, former Homewood resident, and roller coaster inventor.  Students will get to know John Miller and learn about his inventions which are still used to this day to make roller coasters safer!

Interactive 3D

Roller Coaster

Ride

Kids love the thrill of the 3D Roller Coaster Ride in our Michael Wexler Theater! We encourage kids to raise their arms and experience the twists and turns of our 3D Roller Coaster Ride. How fun!

Invent a Roller Coaster!

Children have amazing ideas and they will have an opportunity to become a modern day roller coaster inventor! First, students’ will conduct observations of several types of roller coasters set in various exotic locations. Next, they will write up their ideas and create a prototype sketch of their roller coaster innovation. Finally, each student will receive a bag of recycled materials to build their own model based on their prototype sketch. Their inventor’s journey concludes when they receive feedback on their model from their neighbors. Students can bring home their portable model to show off their experience as a Homewood inventor!  

Next Generation Science Standards
"Roller Coasters: An Inventor's Journey builds towards NGSS performance expectations!

Building towards NGSS Standards: 

K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

K-2-ETS1-2. Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.

3-PS2-1. Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.

4-PS3-1. Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.

5-PS2-1. Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.

3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design process reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

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Science and Engineering Practices:

Developing & using models

Asking questions & defining problems

Crosscutting Concepts:

Cause & effect

Systems & system models

Structure & function

The Details
For more information contact

Grades: PreK4-2nd Grade
Student limit per session: 48 students 
Chaperone requirements: You must provide

1 chaperone for every 4 students 
Session duration: 90 minutes 
Time: 9:30am-11am 
Dates: Fridays. Please check our calendar for open availability homewoodsciencecenter.org/fieldtrips
Session Fee: $350 

Deposit: $100 nonrefundable

Learn with LEGOs!

The scientific method is fun, especially when LEGOs are involved!

During a 45 minute lesson with LEGOs students will:

• Observe what happens when you place objects on a ramp

• Make predictions

• Measure how far objects move

• Record data using graphs

• Build larger models with Imagination Playground

Learn through play

Students will enjoy 45 minutes of open play with Imagination Playground. A breakthrough playspace concept conceived and designed by renowned architect David Rockwell. Imagination Playground was developed to inspire unstructured, child-directed play — the kind of free play that experts say is critical to children’s healthy development, with its interactive play and learning environments. With Imagination Playground blocks kids build a new world every day.