Lesson Plan

GRADE

2
Brought to you by
A Letter from the PSEG Foundation
My fascination with energy started at a young age.

The Arab oil embargo of the 1970’s sent gasoline prices through the roof and made clear how closely
tied our country’s foreign policy is to oil interests. I began wondering whether we could produce
energy in ways that didn’t involve oil, and I wanted to be part of the quest to find the answer.

That passion led me to pursue years of study in the fields of physics and engineering. Graduate degrees
in those areas allowed me to take on a variety of fascinating assignments in my career. I served as a
research scientist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, a Congressional Science Fellow in the office of
U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, and a science, energy, and technology policy advisor to Governor Tom Kean
before coming to PSEG where I work every day to create and deliver power responsibly.

This curriculum, developed by the Museum of Mathematics and funded by PSEG, is intended to help
young people develop an interest in math and the technical fields–to spark curiosity, stimulate inquiry,
and help students down a path of discovery that leads to fulfilling careers.

As issues such as climate change, energy independence, and national security demand increasingly
comprehensive and technical solutions, the need for people with knowledge in science, technology,
engineering, and math–areas known as the STEM subjects–will continue to grow.

At PSEG, we understand that our country’s future depends on developing the insights, creativity, and
dynamism of the next generation of innovators. This curriculum is one of many investments we’ve
made in an effort to help young people discover their talents and develop a thirst for knowledge.

A math- and science-savvy workforce will lead the way to innovative technological discovery, a
strengthened economy, and thriving new industries. And it is an important part of building a talent
pipeline for the energy industry and our country as a whole.

Ralph Izzo
Chairman, CEO and President, PSEG

MoMath is pleased to acknowledge the support of the

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in the creation of Math Midway 2 Go, and the support
of the PSEG Foundation in the creation of the accompanying curriculum.

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 Table of Contents
General instructions for Math Midway 2 Go…………….… 4

Information about the Roller Graphicoaster..……….…… 5

Integrating MM2GO into your unit plans……………………..6

Roller Graphicoaster pre-activity………..…..…..…………………7

Roller Graphicoaster activity……………..…………………..………. 10

Roller Graphicoaster post-activity………………………………… 12

Measuring a Path .…………………………..…..…………..…..………….…16

Roller Graphicoaster Observation Sheet…..…..………….…17

Roller Graphicoaster Drawing...................……..…..………….…18

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 General Instructions for Math Midway 2 Go
Math Midway 2 Go (MM2GO) consists of six interactive mathematics exhibits that
can travel to schools and other venues. Hands-on activities captivate and engage
students, highlighting the wonder of mathematics. These exhibits were designed
for use with individuals of all ages, and the mathematical topics they address range
from topics in the elementary classroom to college-level mathematics. Students of
all ages will benefit from open exploration of the exhibits. At the same time, the
exhibits also tie into specific curricular topics for kindergarten through grade 12.

These lesson plans are provided by MoMath to support teachers like you. To help
you and your students make the most of your time at Math Midway 2 Go, a focus
exhibit has been selected for each grade from kindergarten though grade 12. The
Grade 2 focus exhibit is the Roller Graphicoaster.

MM2GO is designed to accommodate one class of up to 36 students at a time.

It is ideal to have only a small group of students at each exhibit while visiting Math
Midway 2 Go. Break your class into six groups and have them rotate through the
exhibits, with one group at each exhibit at a time. Before starting, make sure that
students understand basic rules for interacting with the exhibits:

Walk in the area surrounding the exhibits; don’t run.

Handle the exhibits gently.
Do not hang or lean on the Number Line Tightrope.
Handle Ring of Fire shapes gently.

Ideally, school support staff and/or parent volunteers will be available for the
duration of the visit to Math Midway 2 Go. These adults can circulate throughout
the exhibits, while the classroom teacher remains at the focus exhibit. At the five
exhibits that are not the grade-level focus, students can explore and play.

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 Information about the Roller Graphicoaster
About the exhibit:
The Roller Graphicoaster is a model roller coaster with an
adjustable track. Students attempt to discover the shape of
the track that will produce the shortest time for the roller
coaster car to slide from a fixed starting point to a fixed
ending point. Students can try one of the suggested curves
(a straight line, a parabola, a cubic curve, a sine curve, a
circular arc, or a cycloid), or design their own track shape
from scratch. Older students can use calculus to analyze the
problem, while younger students can focus on intuition and
experimentation to figure out which qualities make the
fastest coaster.

Why visit the Roller Graphicoaster?

The Roller Graphicoaster is based on a math challenge first
posted by Galileo Galilei in the 17th Century. He wondered:
what is the fastest path from one point to another when
gravity is involved? Galileo was unable to solve the problem,
and it remained unsolved until after the invention of calculus 60 years later.

With elementary school students, exploring the Roller Graphicoaster is a chance to question
assumptions–many students already know that the shortest distance between two points is a
straight line and they will equate a shorter distance with a shorter time. Is this correct? In fact, due
to the effect of gravity, a straight-line roller coaster is not the fastest possible roller coaster. When
using the Roller Graphicoaster, students will make predictions and test them before ultimately
rejecting “short” as the quality of a roller coaster that optimizes time, in favor of other qualities.
In the pre-activity and post-activity, students will practice using rulers, measuring tape, and other
tools to measure straight and curved paths, solidifying their early elementary study of measure-
ment. Many students have never been asked to measure a curved path before, but they will be able
to use their mathematical reasoning to try out different ways to accomplish the task, ultimately
coming up with a method that allows for measuring curves and curved surfaces.

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 Integrating MM2GO Into Your Unit Plans
Consider the following key questions, class topics, and elements of the Common
Core State Standards when considering how to link the Roller Graphicoaster to the
study of mathematics taking place in your classroom.

Key questions inspired by the Roller Graphicoaster:

Is there a way to measure a path that is not straight?
What tool is appropriate for measuring a straight line? What tool is appro-
priate for measuring a curve?
What is the shortest distance between two points? What happens when
gravity is included–is the shortest path always the fastest path?
When designing a fast path, what qualities should it have? For example,
should it be steep or gently sloping? What other qualities might matter?

This lesson plan will be useful with the following classes:

Classes studying measurement and practicing using rulers and measuring
tape
Classes learning about measuring curved surfaces or curved paths for the
first time
Classes studying gravity and the role it plays with respect to moving
objects

Relevant connections to the Common Core State Standards:

Learning Standards Standards for Mathematical Practice
2.MD: Measure and estimate lengths in standard units. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
Use appropriate tools strategically.
Attend to precision.

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 Roller Graphicoaster Pre-Activity

Description
In this activity, students will measure various paths to prepare them for measuring the length of their roller
coaster track when they visit the Roller Graphicoaster.

While this activity is designed for use before visiting the Roller Graphicoaster, the activity can be enjoyed
independently of a visit from the Museum of Mathematics’ Math Midway 2 Go.

Materials Key Terminology

Rulers Line
Measuring tape Line segment
String Straight
Small straight objects like paper clips or Curved
toothpicks Units of measurement including inches and centimeters
Attached Measuring a Path worksheet as well as non-standard units of measurement

Conducting the Activity

1. Group students in pairs.

2. Hand out the Measuring a Path worksheet to each student. Explain to students
that they need to find the length of the four paths they see. Ask them to work with
their partner to make a plan for how they will measure the different paths the ant
takes to get to his food.

3. Show students the materials you have prepared: rulers, measuring tape, string, and
the small straight objects. Students may also use other materials in the room if
they have a different plan.

4. Give students time to make a plan with their partner for measuring each line.
Then, have a discussion with the whole class. Ask students to share how they are
going to measure the four paths. Discuss which path is simplest to measure, which
one is hardest to measure, and what tools they will need to measure each of the
paths.

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 Roller Graphicoaster Pre-Activity (Continued)
Your students should be comfortable with measuring the completely straight path-
Path A. The second path, Path B, is a series of line segments–help students figure out
that they can measure this path by measuring each segment like they would measure
a line and then adding the measurements to find the total distance the ant has to
walk. The curved line paths, Paths C and D, will be hardest, as measuring them may
involve new ideas the students have never encountered before.

Some students may suggest using measuring tape and twisting it in line with the path.

Students could also use lengths of string and twist them to fit the path, then stretch
the string along a ruler to measure the path.

Allow students to try whatever method they suggest. If students use non-standard
measuring tools, like toothpicks, they can lists length in that unit. Some of the paths
may require fractional measurements. You can either have students round the
measurements, or support them in recording fractional amounts.

5. Then, pass out rulers, measuring tape, and string to each pair of students. Have
them figure out the length of each path, and record that length on the worksheet.

6. When a pair of students is finished, instruct those students to find another pair
and share their results. Compare the measurements–how similar are they? If the
results are very dissimilar, how can students figure out which measurement is
more accurate? Encourage students to measure again and check their work if the
other pair’s answer is very different.

7. Once all students have completed their measurements, make a class table that lists
all the results students got for each path. Based on these many measurements,
what is the approximate length of Path A, Path B, Path C, and Path D?

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 Roller Graphicoaster Pre-Activity (Continued)
8. It is likely that students will mostly agree on the lengths of Paths A and B. If there
are large discrepancies among the measured lengths for Paths C or D, discuss the
problem–what makes Paths C and D so difficult to measure?

9. Finish the class by explaining that students will be visiting Math Midway 2 Go and
exploring how to design a fast roller coaster with the Roller Graphicoaster. Their
new skills in measuring curved paths will come in handy for measuring the curved
track of the roller coaster.

Extension: Straight and Curved Measurement

Find other curved surfaces around the classroom and practice measuring their
length. Students can use the method of their choice to determine length. Have
students record their results – what they measured, its length, and the method
they used to make the measurement.

Extension: How Long is a Toothpick?

Some of your students used non-standard units of measurement, like toothpicks or
paper clips, to measure curvy paths. Can students change those non-standard
measurements to standard units of measurement? Work with students to come up
with a method. You might measure one paper clip and then make a chart that adds
up each paper clip, so students know how long their curvy path is in inches or
centimeters.

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 Roller Graphicoaster Activity

Description
In this activity, students will explore the Roller Graphicoaster, making predictions about which track makes
the fastest coaster, and then testing those predictions.

Materials Key Terminology

Attached Roller Graphicoaster Observation Sheet, Line
one copy per student Line segment
Pencils Straight
Optional: clipboards Curved
Steep
Flat
Shallow
Fast
Slow

Conducting the Activity

1. Start by having students examine the colored lines in the background of the Roller
Graphicoaster. Each colored line is a suggested path that the Roller Graphicoaster
can take. Ask students–which path is shortest? Ask them to predict which path
will be the faster roller coaster track. Will the shortest be the fastest? What other
factors might lead to a fast track?

2. To test their predictions, have each student in the group pick one of the suggested
paths and adjust the posts of the Roller Graphicoaster to match that path. Make
sure all of the paths will be tested.

3. One at a time, have each student try their assigned path–use the sliders to move
the brackets up and down. The track can be pulled left or right to add or remove
slack as needed. While one student adjusts the track, other students can discuss
their predictions for this run. They should also sketch the track on their observa-
tion sheet–discuss what makes an accurate sketch.

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 Roller Graphicoaster Activity (Continued)
4. Once the track is ready, have the student press the button labeled “Push Gently.” It
is important to push gently–the clock is most accurate when students press slowly.

5. After each run, have students record the time elapsed. Discuss–was the track
faster or slower than expected? Why might that be?

6. When students have results from all six tracks, allow them to experiment freely-
what other tracks can they design?

7. Later, when all the groups have had a turn at the Roller Graphicoaster, have a
whole class discussion. What happened at the Roller Graphicoaster? What was
expected? What was unexpected? What qualities made the fastest roller coaster?

8. Explain to students that they will be examining what makes a faster coaster in
more detail when they return to the classroom.

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 Roller Graphicoaster Post-Activity

Description
In this activity, students will measure the paths of the Roller Graphicoaster that they tested during their visit
to Math Midway 2 Go, to determine the relationship between length and time.

This activity is designed for use after visiting the Roller Graphicoaster, and requires student data from
visiting the exhibit.

Materials Key Terminology

Rulers Line
Measuring tape Line segment
String Straight
Small straight objects like paper clips or toothpicks Curved
Attached Roller Graphicoaster Observation Sheet Steep
(The same copies students used during their visit Flat
to the MM2GO should be used again.) Shallow
Attached Roller Graphicoaster Drawing, one copy Hill
per student Valley
Units of measurement including inches
and centimeters

Conducting the Activity

1. Ask students: what did you discover during your exploration of the Roller Graphi-
coaster? What do you remember?

2. Ask students to consult their data. Which roller coaster was fastest? Ask students:
why do you think this roller coaster was fastest?

3. Explain to students that today they are going to measure the distance each roller
coaster track traveled. When the roller coaster travels in a curved path, students
will use their new methods for measuring curves to find the distance.

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 Roller Graphicoaster Post-Activity (Continued)
4. Pass out the Roller Graphicoaster Drawing.

5. Split students into six groups. Assign each group one of the six tracks. Each
student in the group will measure the group’s assigned track using whatever
method s/he chooses–measuring tape, ruler, string, or other non-traditional
measuring material. Make sure students see the measuring tools they have at their
disposal.

6. Once all students in a given group have a measurement for their track, compare
results. Are the lengths that students measured the same or different? Why might
the results be slightly different? Reassure students that when measuring a curved
path with straight tools, a small amount of difference between one person’s answer
and another’s is normal–as long as each student’s numbers are not very different
from those found by their classmates, they should trust their measurements.

7. If other groups are still working, students who finish early can measure the length
of another curve.

8. Once all groups have at least one curve measured, have students stand up. When
you say go, students will walk around the room and look for a partner who has
measured a different curve. The two students will trade results and then each will
move on, seeking a new partner with yet another different curve, until all students
have data on all six curves. Students who are finished will show they are finished
by returning to their seats and sitting down.

9. When all students understand, tell them “Go!”

If some students are left over at the end when many others have been seated, make
sure the standing students understand that they can trade data with seated students,
too.

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 Roller Graphicoaster Post-Activity (Continued)
10. Now that students have results for the length of each track and the time it takes for
the roller coaster to zip along each track–discuss as a class. Is the track that takes
the least amount of time the shortest? Is it the longest? If length is not the quality
that allows one track to take less time than another, what is?

11. Students may bring up the word steep in their discussion. As a class, define the
word steep. Use hand motions to show a steep track and contrast it with a flat
track. Then explain to students that steepness is certainly important, but that it is
not the only factor in making a fast track.

On the board, draw for students a track that is very flat for the first half of
its length and very steep for the second. Then, draw a track that is very
steep for the first half of its length and very flat for the second. Which do
they think will be faster? Why? Their instinct will likely lean toward the
second track–which is correct, because the sooner a track allows the roller
coaster to speed up under the influence of gravity, the less time the roller
coaster will take to make it from start to finish. Therefore, which section
of the track is steep (near the beginning or near the end) matters.

Now, draw a track that is a straight line from the Start point to a point well
below the Finish point and roughly half the horizontal distance between
Start and Finish, and then a straight line back up to the Finish. This track is
very steep, but it has a problem–ask students to predict what would
happen with this track. Indeed, the roller coaster would have trouble
climbing the uphill portion of the track and might get stuck in the valley.
So avoiding sharp valleys is also an important part of roller coaster
design.

Even if the track has no valleys, imagine a track that is flat for a portion of
its length. What would happen then? Ask students to explain how a flat
track would affect the speed of the roller coaster. Draw two versions of

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 Roller Graphicoaster Post-Activity (Continued)
similar tracks–one with a shape that might go fast and one that looks
similar but starts flat. As students will deduce, a flat track does not allow
the roller coaster to speed up, and adds time to the roller coaster’s run.
Avoiding flat sections in general, whether valleys or plateaus, makes for
faster roller coaster design.

12. This is why the Cycloid Cyclone is so fast–it dips down quickly, avoids flat sections,
and never has a sharp valley where the roller coaster could get stuck.

13. End by explaining to students that this problem of making the fastest roller coaster
connecting two points was posed by Galileo Galilei in 1638, and that he could not
figure out the best answer. It took the development of calculus to really design the
cycloid curve and that students can study calculus in high school, when they will
learn more about what makes this roller coaster so fast.

Extension
Can you make a Roller Graphicoaster in your classroom? Using model race car
tracks or some other flexible, flat material, have students test a roller coaster track
with a marble. Try to design a track that uses some of the important qualities that
students think will make a fast roller coaster, and see what happens.

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 Measuring a Path
The ant needs to get home to his anthill. How far away is his home? Measure each path.
Make sure you include a unit with your answer!

Path A

Length = __________

Path B

Length = __________

Path C
Length = __________

Path D

Length = __________
 Roller Graphicoaster Observation Sheet
How fast is each roller coaster? Record your results. Save this paper, since you
will need it when you measure the track's length back in your classroom.

Track Name Sketch it! Time Length

Cosine
Coaster

Cubic
Express

Cycloid
Cyclone

Hanging
Halfpipe

Linear
Laser

Parabolic
Plunge
 Roller Graphicoaster Drawing
A
C B
D
E
F
Key
A Linear Laser B Cosine Coaster C Parabolic Plunge
D Cubic Express E Hanging Halfpipe F Cycloid Cyclone