Busch Gardens Exploration Day
- Thread starter Hoopla
- Start date
They call it Physics Day and it was actually yesterday. 
For whatever reason however, the park doesn't seem to even mention its existence on any of it's social media channels and I had no idea it was happening till I saw the sign outside the Globe yesterday.
For whatever reason however, the park doesn't seem to even mention its existence on any of it's social media channels and I had no idea it was happening till I saw the sign outside the Globe yesterday.My understanding is that this event is pretty much dominated by school groups. I asked about it once and the lady at the door told me if I wanted a seat to get there 30 mins early because the whole theater was pretty much reserved for the school groups there that day. :/
So I’ve been thinking about this and I’ve decided that BGW needs to do what Hersheypark does:
High school physics day.
As a senior taking physics/mechanical engineering, we had a field trip day where we went to Hershey and tested the physics of various rides. The idea was to collect data and learn to chart that data to build a model off of, then design a ride for Hershey based on where gaps in the physics of the ride existed. We got to take force meters, accelerometers, speed gauges, and other equipment onto all the coasters and flats to measure their performance. Like we learned the forces on Comet are really different with a 1/3 load vs full load; while Great Bear has little difference in forces between the two. Unbalanced loading on the pirate ship had a huge effect while the scrambler saw little effect.
I think BGW opening a Tu-Th for local Hampton Roads to Richmond HS to do this would be really cool. And a great way to get data on rides.
High school physics day.
As a senior taking physics/mechanical engineering, we had a field trip day where we went to Hershey and tested the physics of various rides. The idea was to collect data and learn to chart that data to build a model off of, then design a ride for Hershey based on where gaps in the physics of the ride existed. We got to take force meters, accelerometers, speed gauges, and other equipment onto all the coasters and flats to measure their performance. Like we learned the forces on Comet are really different with a 1/3 load vs full load; while Great Bear has little difference in forces between the two. Unbalanced loading on the pirate ship had a huge effect while the scrambler saw little effect.
I think BGW opening a Tu-Th for local Hampton Roads to Richmond HS to do this would be really cool. And a great way to get data on rides.
I actually attended a physics day in high school at BGW. I have no idea, if they still do it, however. When I went, they combined it with some high school choral event, as well.
Recently, there was also a NASA Day.
Recently, there was also a NASA Day.
Field Trips, Church Youth Groups & Other Events | Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Let your students and youth group experience our exciting educational programs and find fun things to do in the park on your next field trip.
buschgardens.com
"LAUNCH INTO PHYSICS
Engage your students with the experience of physics in action as Dr. David Wright, Professor of Physics at Tidewater Community College, takes it to a new level. Our "science of thrills" experts will motivate your students by bringing physics to life in the exciting surroundings of the World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park. Join us for this high-energy, live physics interactive show on select dates* in the spring. Accelerometers are mounted on select rides at Busch Gardens.
2019 Dates (Fridays only): April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24, May 31 and June 7
* Reservations are required"
Field Trips, Church Youth Groups & Other Events | Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Let your students and youth group experience our exciting educational programs and find fun things to do in the park on your next field trip.
"LAUNCH INTO PHYSICS
Engage your students with the experience of physics in action as Dr. David Wright, Professor of Physics at Tidewater Community College, takes it to a new level. Our "science of thrills" experts will motivate your students by bringing physics to life in the exciting surroundings of the World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park. Join us for this high-energy, live physics interactive show on select dates* in the spring. Accelerometers are mounted on select rides at Busch Gardens.
2019 Dates (Fridays only): April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24, May 31 and June 7
* Reservations are required"
TBH that sounds more like they explain how it works. What I did at Hershey was a graded paper. I had to use all the data to come up with the train weight fully loaded, partially loaded, empty, explain how that effects the ride, and defend my calculations.
I went to a physics day in high school. As I recall we had things like G force meters strapped inside Nessie we had to observe. We also had to answer a series of short questions. (what part of the train feels fastest going down a hill and the like)