'Laser 101' Newest Free Educational Program Offered At Quassy Amusement ark

Jan. 4, 2013 - PRLog -- MIDDLEBURY, Conn. – How does the fascinating beam of light we call a laser actually work?

 Youngsters will have the opportunity to find out during “Laser 101,” a new educational program being launched for the 2013 season at Quassy Amusement Park.

 “We have many learning opportunities at the park, and ‘Laser 101’ will be a welcome addition to our curriculum this year,” said George Frantzis II, a Quassy owner, in unveiling the program today.

  During the 30-minute classroom presentation students will be instructed on various types of lasers and their uses in everyday life. Students will complete a worksheet during the class, which will take place during fieldtrips to Quassy. At the conclusion of the presentation, each class will see working lasers in the park’s new laser maze attraction in the arcade building.

 “This will not only be a great educational tool, but also a fun experience for youngsters visiting the park,” Frantzis noted. “It’s high-tech show and tell with a physics lesson attached to it.”

 Schools interested in taking part in the “Laser 101” program will be required to schedule the class when making fieldtrip arrangements through the park office at 203-758-2913.

Other Free Educational Programs

 Each spring Quassy Amusement Park transforms itself into a huge arena for interactive learning with topics on physics, science, art, history and more.

 Over the past several years the school projects – most of which are underwritten by the family-owned park – have grown in leaps and bounds.

 “From elementary to high school levels, we offer something for everybody,” noted Audrey Brown, who helps coordinate educational school fieldtrips at Quassy. “We’ve been offering educational programs for years, but now they are much more comprehensive.”

Physics Book

 “Fun With Physics at Quassy Amusement Park,” a workbook containing more than 30 pages of educational projects incorporating many of the mechanical rides at the park, is geared toward most grade levels. The project was coordinated through and accredited by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) in College Park, Md.

 The Quassy project was designed for students to work individually or in teams as they go to various rides, making observations and calculations.

  With the advent of the award-winning “Wooden Warrior” roller coaster in 2011, the park has added student projects in the workbook relating to the massive ride.

 The pamphlet outlines goals and objectives, contains pre-trip activities and numerous in-park projects for middle, elementary and high school students. The booklet is provided in advance via e-mail or on a compact disc to schools scheduling educational fieldtrips, allowing faculty members to assign projects prior to visiting Quassy.

List Of Other Programs

Other free programs at the park include:

·        “Wacky Science” - A 20-minute interactive stage presentation guaranteed to educate as well as entertain. Students assist to uncork some “Wacky Science” experiments to tease the eyes and mind.

·        “Commotion About Motion” Physics Tour – A popular 25-minute guided walking tour with a handful of experiments for classes on a tight schedule.

·         “History Tour/Lecture” – Behind-the-scenes look at Quassy Amusement Park, which is one of only 11 remaining “trolley parks” still operating in the United States. 30 minutes to 1 hour.

·         “ABCs About News” – Journalism workshop where students become reporters and learn to write a news story.

·        “Festival Of The Arts” – Sidewalk art competition on May 11 with divisions for elementary, middle and high schools. Also, jazz bands from regional schools performing on the Carousel Theatre stage.

·         “9th Annual School Music Festival” – June 8 event featuring elementary, middle and high school bands, choruses, orchestras.

·        “Roller Coaster & Quassy Rides Model Contest” – Built it and they will come to see it operate. Divisions for elementary, middle and high schools. Models judged June 15 at the park. Teams can build working roller coaster models or replicas of Quassy rides.

·        “Mother’s Day Essay Competition” – Elementary and middle school students put into words why their mom should be named Quassy Mother Of The Year.

·        “Ready To Read” – The highly-popular summer reading incentive program returns to Quassy. Youngsters reading three books can earn a free ride pass to the park.

·         “Photography Workshop” – Students bring their cameras (digital or film) for a classroom session before going out into the park to complete photography assignments.

 Registration forms for the “Festival Of The Arts” and the “Roller Coaster Model Contest” are available on the Press Room page at www.quassy.com. All of the programs listed above of are free of charge to schools scheduling an educational fieldtrip at the park.

 Call 203-758-2913 for available dates and reservations.

Quassy Quiz Show

 The park also offers the Quassy Quiz Show, featuring a show host and state-of-the-art electronic contest equipment. Pricing for the optional show during school fieldtrips is available through the park office.

 Quassy will also assist in designing specific programs to meet the needs of school curriculum.

  For more information about Quassy Amusement Park visit www.quassy.com. Quassy Amusement Park features more than two-dozen rides and attractions, including the “Wooden Warrior” roller coaster and a new slides and a splash pad at “Splash Away Bay” water park..

. The park also has a redemption arcade, restaurant, entertainment, games, beach and boats on Lake Quassapaug.

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* The “Wooden Warrior” placed third in polling for the “Best New Ride” in the world in 2011. The ballot was conducted among an international panel of industry experts for Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards. In addition, the ride is ranked 32nd among the Top 50 Wooden Coasters in the world, according to 2012 polling by Amusement Today.





With photos



Laser 101



Students will have the opportunity to learn about the exciting technology related to lasers in a new classroom presentation titled “Laser 101” this year at Quassy Amusement Park. The learning session will be capped off with a firsthand look at the park’s new laser maze attraction. (Quassy photo)



How Fast?



The “Wooden Warrior” roller coaster at Quassy Amusement Park soars along more than 1,200 feet of track. Just how fast does the coaster train move? Students can calculate the speed of the ride using the “Fun With Physics” booklet produced by the park as part of Quassy’s extensive educational programs. (Quassy photo)