High School Physics Teachers Association

Dear Colleague,

You are invited to join physics teachers from Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland for 2008's 21st Annual Amusement Park Physics Test at Kennywood.

The test package has two parts: Fermi Questions and Ride Questions. Each teacher must decide either to allow the students to pick the questions to answer or to assign specific questions. Choose from:

1. Thirty-eight Fermi Questions to facilitate customizing the test to meet the needs of your students.

2. 25 Ride packets - We recommend that each student work on only ONE roller coaster packet to keep the lines shorter.

The first two pages of the test provide the rules for the test and suggestions about helpful items to bring to the park. There is a ride statistics sheet that puts much of the ride information in one place. The test is open-ended and does not have an answer key. Teachers are responsible for grading their own students' exams based upon individual abilities and skills. Students should give reasons for their answers. The students have a history of developing answers that the teachers did not imagine. This is only one form that a performance test may take.

This test was developed to stimulate the students' thinking and test their ability to apply their knowledge to a situation outside the classroom. A test that requires students to fill in the blanks on specific questions, while easier to check, does not stimulate them in the same way.

Calculator interfaced accelerometers are acceptable, on the condition that you securely enclose them in the closed pockets of a fishing vest or similar garment. Interfaced accelerometers that are hand carried or tied or wired to the body are not permitted.

One way to insure that the students complete the test is to require them to hand it in as they board the bus to return home.

If a hard copy is needed or you have any questions about the test, feel free to call me after 6:00 PM at home (412-884-9354). For sample questions, or questions about park operations, call Joyce King at Kennywood (412-461-0500 ext. 1126 or at email jking@kennywood.com ).

Sincerely,

Ed Henke