While performing a routine lab in a B4 Physics class earlier this semester, science teacher Greg Tancrell let it slip that in previous years Calculus and Physics classes took an annual trip to Six Flags to participate in a science day.

Of course, this casual comment did not go unnoticed, and a roar of inquiries as to why this trip couldn’t happen again this year almost became louder than the screams heard while waiting in line for Great America’s infamous Superman ride.

At this educational, yet exciting excursion, students can calculate velocity and acceleration of the different coasters using special vests, or view the resemblance of the rides compared to graphs of different functions.

To quell all worries of this trip not being educational, it is noteworthy that on this day, the park is exclusively open to math and science students. Teachers sign up their classes and are given plans and activities that will happen throughout the day.

Former physics student Julia Lieb said, “I think this would have helped the students grasp the concepts of velocity and acceleration in relation to real life, so I would have been for it.”

Currently, there is no talk of another group going this year, but this year’s physics class is all for it.

“We are learning about that stuff right now. It’d be useful to see it in action” said Julian Butts.

But, as all field trips are, it is a matter of whether the school board and administrators feel that this trip is cost efficient and educational.

A few years ago, when it came time to propose the field trip once again, it was denied and has not been tried since.