Clarkson University Celebrates 20th Annual Summer Roller Coaster Camp
Clarkson University recently completed its 20th Annual Summer Roller Coaster Camp, part of the New York State Education Department Science Technology Entry Program.
Clarkson’s STEP program is called IMPETUS (Integrated Mathematics and Physics for Entry to Undergraduate STEM) and the camp is a culminating experience that goes along with a full academic year STEM enrichment and academic support curriculum. This year’s camp welcomed local students for four days of engineering, creativity, teamwork, and real-world data exploration.
“Designing my own virtual coaster and bringing it to life in VR was incredible,” shared one camper. “Then going to Great Escape and collecting data made it feel like I was a real engineer!”
For two decades, Clarkson’s Roller Coaster Camp has combined academic rigor with exhilarating STEM experiences. Each year, students work in teams to design and build coaster models, apply physics and engineering concepts, experience real roller coasters, and conclude the week with presentations for family, teachers, and peers—followed by an awards ceremony.
This milestone year introduced a revitalized curriculum with new tracks designed to spark imagination and analytical thinking. Seventh and eighth graders collected and analyzed data on a range of amusement park games. Then, through the lens of data science, students decided how to build their very own skee ball machines that would balance being both fun and challenging for players.
Older students took creative control on Clarkson’s Max Flight VR2002 Programmable Roller Coaster simulator, where they studied the physics of popular rides before designing and then actually experiencing their own themed coasters in virtual reality.
On the third day, the campers traveled to Six Flags Great Escape in Queensbury, NY. There, students collected hands-on data on rides and games to determine how their own designs would measure up against the competition.
The IMPETUS program provides students with year-round opportunities to strengthen STEM skills through after-school support, near-peer mentoring, campus visits, research challenges, and college and career readiness programming. Its mission is to build confidence and competence in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering for students across New York’s North Country.
By partnering with local schools and creating engaging, hands-on experiences like Roller Coaster Camp, Clarkson University continues to inspire and prepare the next generation of STEM leaders.
Visit Clarkson’s Institute for STEM Education website for more information.
