On Friday, April 29 2022 Stuart Juniors and Seniors attended Six Flags’ annual Physics Day. From 10am to 5pm, students from dozens of area schools participated in various activities including special presentations and classic theme park fun.
During Physics Day, students had the opportunity to talk with Six Flags’ head engineer who designs the rides in the park. His presentation included details of the Kingda Ka creation process: how it went from a “crazy idea” to becoming the world’s tallest coaster. Another highlight included a physics themed activity on the Skyway, where students were tasked with hitting a target from up in the air.
Stuart students spent the day riding roller coasters, playing fair games, and eating an abundance of fried goodies. However, it wasn’t all fun and games as students were required to fill out a worksheet with physics problems by the end of the trip.
The entire event, especially the engineering presentation, was enlightening as to the complexity behind theme parks. While theme parks are often seen as mere entertainment, a lot of brain power and careful planning go into the design and construction of the rides. All the seemingly-useless math equations from physics class are essential in this field. From calculation of wind force, to angle measurements, to speed and mass of the coaster, everything we’ve learned in class impacts the execution of the signature Six Flags’ magic. Thanks to this unique behind-the-scenes opportunity, students were truly able to see and experience how important engineering is to the success of theme parks around the world.
