“How experimentation enhances learning in science fields”

By: Latosha Williams

When I was 9 years old, our family went on a family trip to Liberty Land, an amusement park in Memphis, TN. It was me, my little brother, my mom, and my dad.

On the journey to Memphis, I teased my little brother about riding the largest roller coaster in all of Tennessee. He looked a little worried!

Upon arriving at Liberty Land, we sped off to the biggest coaster we could find, “The Revolution.”

The train car coasted up the hill, squeaking and creaking. At last, it reached its peak. It zipped down the hill, round the curve, in a circle, and back again.

I cried and screamed, “Stop this thing, stop this thing!” Upon departing the roller coaster, I asked the operator, “Why didn’t you stop the roller coaster when I cried?”

The conductor simply smiled and said, “Sweetie, I couldn’t stop it. Roller coasters do not have engines, they simply run off of gravity.”

Learning the concept of gravity and how it works is learned easiest when students have the opportunity to experiment with it hands-on.