Barbie wants an exciting adventure ziplining!
PHMS Algebra students were given the challenge: to create a zipline business offering Barbie and her friends an exhilarating yet safe adventure. This task required them to apply their mathematical skills using the Pythagorean theorem to determine the appropriate length and angle of the zipline. The students also calculated the slope of the zip line to ensure Barbie would slide down the line without any hazards. Zip lines typically have a slope between 3% and 6%.
Each group was provided a budget of $2500 to cover the necessary expenses for their zipline project.
On Tuesday, January 6, the students gathered in the gym to test their zipline creations. The test runs revealed that shorter cable lengths paired with moderate angles provided the best experience for Barbie and her friends, blending safety with the thrill of the ride.
This project not only allowed students to exercise their mathematical abilities but also encouraged creativity and strategic thinking. Through this challenge, they learned valuable lessons in budgeting, engineering, and teamwork.