Elitch Gardens “Show Us Your Coaster Contest”

May 7, 2015 - Judging starts at 4 pm

May 14, 2015 – Judging starts at noon

Elitch Gardens is proud to present our “Show Us Your Coaster” Building Contest in conjunction with the 2015 Education Days to be held on Thursday, May 7th at 5pm and Thursday, May 14th at noon. To find out how you and your school can enter this exciting contest, read the rules and suggestions that follow.

Roller coasters are called “gravity rides” for a good reason: once the coaster has been dragged to the top of the first hill and released, it is the force of gravity that keeps the coaster going all the way back to the station platform at the end of the ride. As the coaster goes through its twists, turns, rolls, and loops, it gains and loses its initial energy is lost due to friction, the roller coaster can never rise as high as the first hill. The roller coaster you will design is also a “gravity ride”.

We are encouraging schools to build and enter roller coaster models built by teams of students. Materials that seem logical include wood, wire, string, twine, doweling, toothpicks, cardboard, construction paper, glue, tape or other low cost items. Commercially available roller coaster kits are discouraged although ideas obtained while building them might profitably be incorporated in the final design.

In the “Spirit of the Competition,” the key ingredients are creativity and application of science principles. Doing a great job is encouraged over spending lots of money to complete the project.

Roller coasters will be judged based on three categories as explained below:

A. Technical Merit B. Theme and Creativity C. Rider Enjoyment

Trophies and exclusive ride time on a premier ride at the park will be awarded to first, second and third place teams.

Coaster Model Rules

A. The model should be designed for a steel ball or glass marble. This means that the steel ball or glass marble when released from the top of the first hill by the judge will travel through the entire ride, and arrive at the bottom loading platform. (Note: for this contest, you will raise the steel ball or glass marble by hand from the loading platform to the top of the first hill to start the “ride”.) B. A ball must be provided by the team so that it can be tested on judging day. The ball must be either a glass marble or regular size or greater, or a steel ball that is 1 cm (1/2”) diameter or greater. C. Magnets, electricity, springs and other forms of energy may not be used to propel and or launch the ball forward – this is a “gravity ride” only. Gravity is to be the only driving force. These other sources of energy can be used for esthetics (i.e. , background lighting). No electricity is provided in the contest area. D. The starting position at the top of the first hill should be clearly marked. The steel ball or glass marble must end at he base of the lift or loading area. E. Each competing team can have a maximum of 4 students. F. The decision of the judges is final. Any coaster that violates the rules above or the spirit of the competition will be disqualified.

Judging Criteria

Technical Score (50 pts)

Each model will be entitled to three runs. The longest time to go from the Start position to the Finish will be the official time for that model. (50 pts maximum)

Calculation of Points for Time

The points awarded for time will be based on the maximum time taken. For example, assume the maximum time was 15 seconds and your coaster took 9 seconds.

Points = 50 points x (your time / maximum time)

Points = 50 points x (9 sec / 15 sec) = 30 points

Bonus points for technical merit will be awarded for the following:

 5 points per each completed . Vertical loop is defined as any time for the “rider” is upside down on a loop of track. If the vertical loop is a portion of a corkscrew (helix), it counts as a vertical loop. Horizontal loops do not add bonus points.

 5 points for a “closed” track  10 points for “more open” track  15 points for a “most open” track

Examples of degree of openness of tracks:

0 – 20 points may be awarded for novel engineering, including use of unusual materials, quality of workmanship, etc at the judge’s discretion.

Theme (creativity) Score (25 pts)

The model roller coaster will be judged for its merits as a possible ride to be purchased by an . Theming is an essential element of a new ride. A score out of 25 will be awarded to each entry.

 0-10 points for ride name  0 – 15 points for overall theme  Bonus: 0 – 5 points for theme incorporation overall and throughout the entirety of the coaster.

Rider Enjoyment (25 pts)

The model roller coaster will be judged for rider enjoyment. This is based on how much the judges’ think park guests would enjoy riding the coaster if it were to be built at Elitch Gardens. The ride should be built with high thrill seekers in mind. A score of 25 will be awarded to each entry.

 0-20 points for enjoyment  0-5 points for the likely hood of re-rides

Documentation

(1) Each team must attach a 3” x 5” index card to the ride. The front of the card should include: Name of the Roller Coaster The back of the card (not showing) should include: School Name Members of the Team with grade level Teacher Name Teacher’s contact phone number (2) Each team should download and complete the Entry / Scoring Form. Bring it with you to the model judging at Elitch Gardens.

The contest rules and idea is based on Canada’s Wonderland, California’s Great America Roller Coaster Building Contest and Coaster Mania Building Contest.

For more information, contact:

Angela Wilson/Special Events Account Executive Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park Direct: 303-572-4502 [email protected]