One of my favorite times of the year- The Week of The Roller Coasters! This has become close to a national holiday in my classroom. Students from previous years check in on the progress regularly. “Have they started their roller coasters yet?” “Can we see them when they are done?” “I’m sure you have never had a coaster as good as mine.” “I wonder what they are doing here.”
Being one of my favorite end of the year activities, I look forward to this for several weeks before it actually arrives. This year in particular, I have had the pieces photo copied and ready to go for a week now.
Next week, we start.
This amazing resource (available from Andrew Gatt at Teachers Pay Teachers) has been a part of my end of year activities for a few years and it is one that provides close to 100% engagement all of the time. As we prepare for our coaster construction, we cover many valuable physics topics including potential and kinetic energy, gravity, centripetal force, force applied to the rider (G’s), friction, and air resistance. The process of building involves ongoing problem solving, engineering thinking and team work. After completing our coasters, students turn in a final summary of their project. This ends up being a powerful activity with a large amount of learning value in my classroom.
Connecting these topics with faith, roller coasters also become a powerful analogy for our faith in Christ. Which roller coasters of faith do we find most appealing? Which do we avoid? Which would we never consider? Through my teen years, I would have tried any coaster I was presented with at that time. As I have added years to my age, I have also added hesitation to what I am willing to jump on for theme park rides. How often is our “spiritual theme park” decisions made in the same way? Have we lost our sense of spiritual adventure? Do we let past bad experiences determine what we are willing to try? Do we forget the truths about God and that the “coaster” will always work? We do not lose our salvation when we avoid these challenges, but we do often miss out on what these spiritual coasters offer.
While many times in life we choose not to get on the spiritual roller coaster at all, there are times we do get brave enough to check it out. There may be a slight bit of fear. We might have butterflies in our stomach. We might need a support group to get us in line. We might consider backing out three times before we reach “the point of no return”. Even in the midst of the actual roller coaster experience, we might even regret that we made this decision. These hesitations are normal human reactions and ones that we all face when given the opportunity to jump on the new coaster God is offering.
While these decisions are never easy, the truth is that the coaster(our faith challenge) has been tested rigorously before we arrive. The coaster designer (God) is exceptionally trained and over qualified for His job. The scientific forces are constant and will never change. We can trust them.
Think about today the roller coaster that God might be asking you to consider. What are your reasons for hesitation? What are you most afraid of? What fear do you need to lay down at the feet of the Savior to be able to and give it a chance? Pray for courage today. Pray for the ability to trust today. Pray for confidence in the designer of the coaster. Even if your first ride is the equivalent of a kiddie coaster- step in line and trust. Trust the maker of the coaster and the creator of your life.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”- Joshua 1:9 (NIV
Other Helpful Roller Coaster Resources:
Roller Coaster Simulations focusing on potential and kinetic energy
Design a Roller Coaster Activity
Teaching Beyond the Norm 