Hawthorne High School’s AP Calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus, Pre-Calculus, AP Physics, and Honors Physics classes went to Six Flags Great Adventure on May 3, 2013 to learn the math and physics behind roller coasters.

Throughout the year, the students in these classes were able to learn how roller coasters work and why they are so much fun.  There is physics and math involved in every aspect of a coaster from the acceleration and momentum that keeps you moving or the radius of the loops so you do not fall out and break your neck.  Knowing the physics and math behind these great inventions not only made the rides more enjoyable, but it did make the students more knowledgeable about why they are so much fun.

Additionally, Cheryl Smith and Ryan McMann’s Honors Pre-Calculus and Pre-Calculus classes recently built roller coasters as a school project.  The students worked for months perfecting their masterpieces and learning the physics and algebra behind the rollercoasters themselves.

Senior Anna Dutko had an unbelievably good time at Six Flags.  “I went on Batman, El Toro, Nitro and Superman.  I tried to go on Kingda Ka, but it broke down right before I went on.”  Despite this minor setback, Dutko claimed that her time was even more enjoyable because she got to experience it with her friends and teachers.

Senior Renee Buchanan had an interesting experience on the trip when her iPhone fell out of her pocket while riding the roller coaster El Toro. While she recalls frantically searching for her phone, her friends noticed a worker standing with the exact phone that Renee had lost with the screen completely shattered.  The worker explained that the phone nearly landed on his head and had senior Steven Corrales called the phone to prove that it did indeed belong to Buchanan. Buchanan says that although her phone was completely destroyed, she still had a memorable day at Six Flags.

Getting to spend an entire day at Six Flags proved to be not just a great time but also one that allowed students to appreciate the mathematics and physics behind roller coasters.