May 26, 2009

High school participants have the chance to earn a mini-degree in Rollercoasterology.
/ Photos: David Fairbanks

Students earn degrees in Rollercoasterology

Students from grades seven to 12 embraced beautiful weather at Calaway Park last Friday in order to get some hands-on learning about physics and math while riding the Ocean Motion, The Vortex and other rides.

Almost 2,000 students from the Calgary area as well as from Banff, Fernie, and Strathmore attended the event. They were provided with workbooks, written by Phil Langill, a long time instructor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and who has organized the event for the past five years.

“They get out here and actually feel the physics and connect it to life,” says Langill.

While the goal of the day for many kids was to have fun, students were “secretly learning” according to Tyler Lieskovkoi, a Grade 12 student from Chester mere High School.  “We never really do things like this.  It’s a good opportunity for our school.”

Emily Deere, a Grade 11 student from Crescent Heights High School in Calgary adds:  “It’s like doing labs in a big way.  It helps you understand.”

Gord Wiegele, a physics 20/30 teacher at Lester B Pierson High School in Calgary, says the hands-on learning is another very important way to help students learn. “It’s real life, fun; they’re getting to do it.”

High school participants have the chance to take a short exam after and earn a mini-degree in Rollercoasterology. They are awarded a bachelor, masters or a doctoral based on their knowledge of what they learned that day.

“You get to come out here, talk, see the connections,” says parent Patti Brewin, whose son attends Crowther Memorial Jr. High in Strathmore. “If you come away with at least one concept, you’ve achieved something.”

The hands-on work is a great way for the students to get out of the classroom and away from the books and see how and why physics really works in the practical world.

This event is also a good opportunity to promote programs at the university to perspective students, encouraging the kids to pursue a career in science. 

“If one kid goes into chemistry, physics, or engineering because of this event,” says Langill, “That would be awesome.”