SCHOOLS MOVE CLASSROOMS TO WORLDS OF FUN DURING THRILL U. WEEK

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – How do gravity and centrifugal force combine while soaring on PATRIOT? What is your potential energy at the top of PROWLER? School groups of all ages from across the Midwest visit Worlds of Fun, May 12 – 14, and May 17-18, 2010, to learn how science, math, language arts, physics, and social studies relate to thrill rides during Thrill U. Week.

Worlds of Fun is transformed into a giant laboratory on these special days to help students understand how amusement park rides work. Students measure gravitational forces, angular momentum, and velocity using the rides at Worlds of Fun, and apply this information to focused school assignments. Competitive scavenger hunts allow students to navigate the park’s 175 acres of thrill rides and attractions while answering educational questions along the way.

Specialized exercises in algebra, geometry, physics, social studies, and language arts are available for download at worldsoffun.com. Teachers may download exercises in advance to create educational programs that include lesson plans for use both in the classroom and at the park. The exercises are designed for use at Worlds of Fun during any public operating day, but additional educational activities and competitive exercises take place during Thrill U. Week.

The World’s Best Coaster Building Contest invites students to design and submit their own gravity defying scream machines. On each day of Thrill U. Week, students make a short presentation to explain and demonstrate their invention. The winner of the coaster building contest will not only receive Worlds of Fun prizes but will also have their ride featured at worldsoffun.com.

“Thrill U. Week at Worlds of Fun is a thrilling way to capture the attention of students by setting education in motion,” states Erin Cornell, Thrill U. Week Activities Coordinator. “Our collection of world-class coasters and thrill rides provides such a great opportunity for students to learn outside a classroom environment.”

For more information about Thrill U. Week, to download classroom exercises, or to purchase tickets, please visit the Special Events section at worldsoffun.com. Worlds of Fun opens daily at 9:00 am during Thrill U Week. For more information, visit worldsoffun.com or call (816) 454-4545.