![\"Houston](\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Houston-problem.jpg\")
<\/a>He saw slack in the measuring tape his team just carried from one platform to another, but only after he and a partner wrapped the tape around a tree trunk. Albarillo knew the drooping tape would lead to inaccurate results in estimating the length of replacement light strands needed to illuminate zip lines at night. It was time to rewind and retrace their steps to fix the problem.<\/p>\n\u201cI hope they learn a lot more than force and motion,\u201d said Shippy, referring to the science lesson that prompted his collaboration with the park for the field trip. \u201cThere\u2019s math. We\u2019ve got measurement in metric. We\u2019ve got single-step and multistep problems. There are concepts related to mass and how much energy is required to move an object.\u201d<\/p>\n Did any students express a fear of heights when he announced the field trip?<\/p>\n \u201cI had two girls who were a little hesitant, but as you can see, no one is on the ground,\u201d said Shippy as his students climbed, crossed and zipped through the aerial trails above his head.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to get Zippy to the other side in 4-7 feet per second,\u201d explained one student.<\/p>\n \u201cZippy\u201d was the name affectionately given to kettlebells students used to test zip lines they designed on-site in teams of three. According to instructions for the Let \u2018em Zip!<\/em> design challenge, the students had some big shoes to fill: The chief builder is out sick and the park desperately needs a new zip line. It has to be fast enough for fun, but no so fast that someone gets hurt. They are asking for your help to design and create a zip line that is thrilling and safe. <\/em><\/p>\n Adventure Park course manager Ethan Wright and PAES gifted resource teacher Jill Reid talked with students about the design challenge before construction began.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, you need to make a zip line for Zippy that is at a safe speed,\u201d began Wright. \u201cWe don\u2019t want him to go too fast, and we don\u2019t want him to go too slow. Because what happens when you go too fast?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to crash,\u201d responded one student.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s not very fun,\u201d added Wright.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if you go too slow?\u201d Wright continued.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not even fun,\u201d said another student. \u201cYou just stop, and it would be boring.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think the first thing is that we can do to make a zip line that\u2019s fun and safe?\u201d asked Wright.<\/p>\n The students brainstormed variables that would impact the ride, for better or worse.<\/p>\n Slope. Slack. Tension. Angles. Weight. Speed. Distance. Time.<\/em><\/p>\n Talk of math, measurement and mass – all topics Shippy hoped would be integrated into his students\u2019\u00a0work at the Adventure Park.<\/p>\n \u201cWe got this! Come on Zippy,\u201d shouted one energized student before his group\u2019s first trial. Zippy zoomed safely across the line, and the team threw their hands in the air and cheered.<\/p>\n Celebration turned to contemplation.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you determine speed?\u201d Wright prompted when no one answered.<\/p>\n \u201cDistance divided by time,\u201d remembered a student. \u201cOh, we didn\u2019t time Zippy! Let\u2019s get a stopwatch!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>This was one of many \u201cproblems\u201d Princess Anne Elementary School (PAES) teacher Andrew Shippy was happy for his students to encounter at the Adventure Park at the Virginia Aquarium.<\/p>\n<\/a>One of the day\u2019s tasks, however, did involve work at ground level.<\/p>\n<\/a>After reviewing their respective notes, drawings and measurements with teammates,\u00a0students began constructing zip lines within arm\u2019s reach from the ground.\u00a0They could attempt up to three trials for each of three kettle bells \u2013 of varying weights of 5 pounds, 10 pounds and 15 pounds \u2013 to test and make adjustments after each zip line run.<\/p>\n<\/a>Wright had a question for the cheering team. \u201cHow fast did it go?\u201d\u00a0he asked.<\/p>\n