300 Park Boulevard, Hershey, PA 17033

HERSHEYPARK® is proud to support the education of students through our theme park laboratory. For
years, HERSHEYPARK has utilized this unique opportunity for students to apply their knowledge in a
hands-on environment.
HERSHEYPARK serves as an excellent destination for those groups seeking a day filled with eductional
opportunities, while simultaneously offering the exciting surroundings of a theme park.
We have designed our educational guides as a resource for all ages, grade levels, and curriculums. We
encourage you to use this guide as a resource to plan your own adventure within HERSHEYPARK. Feel
free to use the activities which you feel are most appropriate for your students and reproduce the
worksheets as needed.
HERSHEYPARK would like to recognize several individuals who have contributed their time and
energy to make each educational guide beneficial. These individuals have been the success behind the
HERSHEYPARK laboratory and make it possible to enhance the educational enrichment within
HERSHEYPARK.
• Dr. Geno Torri, Chambersburg
• Mr. Jeffery Fuhrman, Donegal
• Mr. Roy DeRemer, Warwick
• Mr. Tom Ritter, Annville Cleona
• Mr. Jeffery Way, Hempfield
• Mr. Bill Irwin
• Mr. Jim Delaney, Manheim Township
An additional Thank You is necessary to the following individuals who are working with
HERSHEYPARK in our commitment of excellence by helping to improve all educational prorams. We
greatly value thier time and efforts.
• Ms. Kara Czernik-Hines, Ridley
• Mr. Paul Hine, Ridley
• Ms. Kelly Miller, Elizabethtown
• Mr. Geno Torri, Chambersburg
• Mr. Mark Elicker, Elizabethtown
• Ms. Karen Muckenthaler, Elizabethtown
• Mr. Justin Brohl, Ridley
• Ms. Monika Hager, Homeschool Program Supervisor
HERSHEYPARK will gladly accept any additional problems, experiments, or corrections to our
educational guides. Please feel free to email HERSHEYPARK Group Sales, with your comments or
questions to Hersheyparkgroups@HersheyPA.com.
300 Park Boulevard, Hershey, PA 17033
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Acknowledgments
HERSHEYPARK would like to recognize and thank Dr. Geno Torri for researching and writing this
Discovery Guide.
Dr. Torri’s dedication to children and commitment to developing an environment that enhances a
child’s natural discovery process has produced a Discovery Guide that is truly “teacher- friendly”.
The activities encourage a thematic approach to learning. Your students can participate in a variety
of learning activities, while enjoying all the fun and excitement of HERSHEYPARK and surrounding
attractions.
Also, thanks to the ZOOAMERICA® North American Wildlife Park and HERSHEYPARK Aquatheatre
staffs who have provided excellent activities to enhance this educational destination.
PASCO Scientific is a proud sponsor of HERSHEYPARK educational programs. Call PASCO at
1-800-722-8700 for your science laboratory needs.
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Table of Contents
Equipment for HERSHEYPARK Science ...............................................................4
National Science Contact Standards ........................................................................5
HERSHEYPARK has the Formula ..........................................................................6
Terminology for Science Day ..................................................................................7
PASCO and HERSHEYPARK ................................................................................8
Everyone’s Sweet at HERSHEYPARK .................................................................10
Ready, Set, Internet with HERSHEYPARK ..........................................................11
Hello from HERSHEYPARK ................................................................................12
Start at the Carrousel..............................................................................................13
Newton’s Fender Bender........................................................................................14
Coal Cracker ..........................................................................................................15
The Pirate at HERSHEYPARK .............................................................................16
Simply Hershey......................................................................................................17
Speed at Hershey....................................................................................................18
How About a Big Kiss?..........................................................................................19
Arboretum at HERSHEYPARK ............................................................................20
Weather Conditions at the Park..............................................................................22
ZOOAMERICA Map.............................................................................................23
ZOOAMERICA.....................................................................................................24
Who Are They? ......................................................................................................25
HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE WORLD® ...............................................................26
HERSHEY Factory Tour........................................................................................27
Important Statistics ................................................................................................28
Graph It .................................................................................................................29
Data Conversion Page............................................................................................30
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Equipment for HERSHEYPARK Science
For our experience to be the most it can be, you will want to bring the
right materials. Following are some recommended items to bring with
you for your experience.
Use the following as a checklist:
________ Acceleration data gathering device
________ Calculators
________ Clipboard
________ Activity sheets
________ Laptop computer
________ Pencils
________ Plastic bags (to carry items)
________ Stopwatch
________ Talk about (communication radio)
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5
HERSHEYPARK
HERSHEYPARK
HERSHEYPARK
HERSHEYPARK
HERSHEYPARK
HERSHEYPARK
Meets National Standard
Concepts
History and Nature of Science
Science as a human endeavor
Science in Personal & Social Perspectives
Personal Health
Types of Resources
Changes in Environments
Science and Technology
Ability of Technological Design
Understanding about Science & Technology
Ability to distinguish between natural objects
Earth and Space Science
Properties of Earth Materials
Objects in the sky
Changes in Earth and Sky
Life Science
Characteristics of organisms
Life Cycles of organisms
organism and environment
HERSHEYPARK
HERSHEYPARK
HERSHEYPARK
History and Nature of Science
Science as a human endeavor
Nature of Science
History of Science
Science in Personal & Social Perspectives
Personal Health
Natural Hazards
Science and Technology in society
Science and Technology
Abilities of technical design
Understanding about Science and Technology
Earth and Space Science
Structure of the Earth system
Earth’s History
Earth in the Solar System
Life Science
Structure and function in living systems
Reproduction and heredity
Regulation and behavior
Physical Science
Properties and changes of properties in matter
Motion and Forces
Transfer of Energy
HERSHEYPARK
Physical Science
Properties of Objects and Materials
Position and Motion on objects
Light, Heat, Electricity, and Magnetism
Unifying Concept and Process
Systems, order, and organization
eviedence, models, and explanation change,
consistency, and measurement
Evolution and Equilibrium
Form and Function
Science and Inquiry
Ability necessary to do Scientific Inquiry
Understanding about Scientific Inquiry
HERSHEYPARK
Meets National Standard
Grades 5-8
Science and Inquiry
Ability necessary to do Scientific Inquiry
Understanding about Scientific Inquiry
Light, Heat, Electricity, and Magnetism
Concepts
Unifying Concept and Process
Systems, order, and organization
evidence, models, and explanation change,
consistency, and measurement
Evolution and Equilibrium
Form and Function
Grades K-4
National Science Content Standards
HERSHEYPARK has the Formulas
Use the following formulas for activities in this manual or activities of your own design.
Force
F=MA
Work
W=FD
Speed
V=d/t
Acceleration
A = V2 – V 1
t
Circumference of a circle
C = � d or
Potential Energy
PE = MGH
Kinetic Energy
KE = MV2
2
C=�r
Key Terms
A = acceleration
V= speed (velocity)
C = circumference
6
M= mass
t = time
� = 3.14
H= height
d = distance
r = radius
G = 32 ft./sec2 or 9.8 m / sec 2
Terminology at HERSHEYPARK
The following are terms associated with your Science at HERSHEYPARK
experience.
Science
• Acceleration
• Altitude
• Circumference
• Force
• Inertia
• Kinetic Energy
• Mass
• Potential Energy
• Velocity
• Work
Weather Terms
• Clouds
• Cumulus
• Circle
• Dew Point
• Fronts
• Humidity
• Precipitation
• Psychrometer Stratus
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On Physics and Science Days visit
at HERSHEYPARK
Data collection equipment will enhance your HERSHEYPARK experience
and your curriculum.
When you join us at the park,
bring your data gathering equipment.
The PASCO xplorer provides an
easy collection system.
The vest provides a secure way of controlling
the sensor and getting accurate data collection.
To make you data collection easy,
PASCO will have vests available for you to
sign out on Physics and Science Days.
The TENT, located in the MIDWAY, will have tables and outlets for you to set
up your laptops. So use this location as your base of operations. Have students
put on a vest, take a ride on one of the 10 great coasters and collect some data.
You can download it in the tent and take it with you for follow-up study in the
classroom.
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Great Sensors make data gathering easy, informative and fun.
Use the 3 axis accelerometer and altimeter to measure
acceleration changes in magnitude and direction.
This device measures acceleration in each axis, calculates
the resultant, and measures the change in altitude.
A Weather Watch Station will be set up outside the tent.
Weather Watch sensors will let us incorporate a major factor of park
operations into your science experience, the weather. HERSHEYPARK will
use the PASCO Weather Watch to set up a weather station outside
of the TENT. The data will be real time and available for teachers and students
when you return to the classroom.
PASCO and HERSHEYPARK taking science out of the PARK and into your classroom.
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Everyone’s Sweet at HERSHEYPARK
Each ride at HERSHEYPARK has a minimum height requirement. At the entrance to the Park
and at the entrance to each ride there is a height guide. Graph the members of your class or
group and see how many are within each candy category.
First make a prediction as to how many are within each category – then tabulate the actual
results.
Prediction:
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Actual Number:
Ready, Set, Internet with HERSHEYPARK
Use the HERSHEYPARK web site as an educational tool within your classroom. Students can go to
the site and access both HERSHEYPARK and ZOOAMERICA. You can use the sites to complete the
following activities or make up your own. The possibilities are endless. You will need to pre-visit the site
to develop some specific activities.
Go to: http://www.hersheypark.com/
Click on RIDES
Go to Ride Search:
Select and do the
search you desire.
Here are a few inquires to try:
Find out how many rides are considered Adult, Family, or Kiddie rides.
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Hello from HERSHEYPARK
A post card is a mini-story. The picture gives the reader the setting or theme. The message provides the
plot, character clues, and tone of the story.
Share the excitement and experience of your day at HERSHEYPARK by giving them a postcard.
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Start at the Carrousel
The basic process of good science is the ability to observe what is occurring or what is not occurring.
The Carrousel, which was the last ride personally selected by Milton Hershey, is an excellent place to
start your science experience at HERSHEYPARK and to sharpen your observation skills.
Materials: stop watch
Terminology: period of rotation
Formula:
V= distance / time
V=d/t
Circumference C= 2 x � x r
Go to the Carrousel and while you are in line answer the following.
1. Which direction does the carrousel turn ? _________________________
2. How many horses are on the carrousel?___________________________
3. How many horses go up and down? _____________________________
4. How many horses do not go up and down? _______________________
5. What percent of the horses go up and down? ______________________
6. Are there animals other than horses on the ride, if so, what are they?
7. Are all the animals in the outer circle decorated the same as those in the inner circle? _________
____________________________________________
Determine the velocity of this ride.
1. Stand near the carrousel (outside ride fence) and locate a horse or bench on the ride. This will be
a point of reference.
2. Once the ride is at full speed use your stop watch to measure five rotations.
3. Divide this time by 60 to determine the period of rotation.
Do you experience the same ride on every horse? Use the radius measurements to calculate the
velocities on different horses.
Radius for the four circumferences of the horses.
Outer most 7.7 meters
Second level 6.5 meters
Third level 5.3 meters
Inner 4.5 meters
Measure the time of one rotation (once the ride is at full speed)
Velocity = ___________ / ____________ m/s
Circumference
time
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Newton’s Fender Bender
The Fender Bender is all about Newton and his first law. Observe the action from the viewing area
located at either end or experience it for yourself. Don’t forget that half the fun is in the experience.
Prediction:
Before making your observations – make your prediction.
Draw an arrow to indicate your prediction as to what will happen in the situations below.
You may want to use colors to illustrate your prediction and observation.
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Coal Cracker
This ride travels at an average speed of 8 ft./sec. This makes it slow by coaster standards, but it provides
some of the best examples of Newton’s first law and the concept of inertia.
Inertia is the tendency of matter to remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line.
If you have ever stopped suddenly in a car or bus and continued to move forward – then you have
experience inertia. This activity asks you to ride the Coal Cracker and locate the inertial impact spot –
place the letter “I” at the location.
Hint: Be careful in your observation – there are many “I” spots.
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The Pirate at HERSHEYPARK
The Pirate is a very simple looking ride but it is one of the best for providing a zero-g feeling. Zero-g
stands for a condition where there is no gravitational force upon your body. This can never exist, even
when an astronaut is in space they experience microgravity or a feeling of zero-g due to the limited pull
upon their body.
Observe the motion.
Describe the motion of the Pirate. _______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Which rider travels the greatest distance? A
or
B
Take the accelerometer on the ride and measure the g’s.
Indicate where you experienced the greatest 1 g and greater than 1 g.
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Simply Hershey
HERSHEYPARK is about motion and force and it is the machines at HERSHEYPARK
performing these concepts are what makes this an exciting place.
Some of the common types of machines within HERSHEYPARK are levers, block and
tackle, and gears.
As you go through the Park match the simple machine with the ride or event.
L for lever
T for block and tackle
G for gear
_____ lemonade stand
____ monorail
_____ midway street sweeper ____ frog leaping game
_____ ice cream machine
List some events, rides or items that use the three types of simple machines
Levers
Block and Tackle
Gear
_______________
__________________
___________________
_______________
__________________
___________________
_______________
__________________
___________________
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Speed at HERSHEYPARK
HERSHEYPARK is all about speed. Use the track length in the important statistics
section (pages 3-34) and your stop watch to calculate the speed of the following rides.
Material for this activity: Stop Watch, Calculator
Formula: V = d / t
Comet
SOOPERDOOPERLOOPER
GREAT BEAR
Trailblazer
Wildcat
STORM RUNNER
LIGHTNING RACER
Use the Data Conversion Table on page 36 to find the speed in mile/hr or m/ h
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How About a Big Kiss
Milton Hershey was born in 1857 and began manufacturing caramels in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in
1886. But it was not until 1907 that the now world-famous HERSHEY’S KISSES was manufactured.
The classic shape and geometric proportions of this chocolate treat is just the right subject for an
integrated art and math activity.
Use the grid to transfer the drawing.
Use the grid to transfer the drawing.
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Arboretum at HERSHEYPARK
As you enjoy your day at the park observe the plants that make HERSHEYPARK
at study in plant architecture. Identify the area that you located the plants below.
Weeping Willow
(Salix babylonica)
____________________
Dawn Redwood
(Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
____________________
Northern Catalpa
(Catalpa speciosa)
____________________
Ginkgo
(Ginkgo biloba)
Eastern Hemlock
(Tsuga Canadensis)
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____________________
Cryptomeria
(Cryptomeria japonica)
____________________
___________________
Sycamore
(Plantanus occidentalis)
___________________
Eastern White Pine
(Pinus strobus)
___________________
Consider making your own classroom HERSHEYPARK species collection using plants within your
neighborhoods.
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Weather Conditions at HERSHEYPARK
Weather impacts our daily lives and at HERSHEYPARK weather is monitored throughout the day.
Why not monitor the weather with the meteorologist at HERSHEYPARK and then
stop by the TENT and use the PASCO Weather Watcher to complete the weather chart below? (Available
on Physics and Science Days only.)
Time
Temperature
Barometric
Pressure
Relative
Humidity
Dew Point
Next Step: Graph the different measurements over the period of the day
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Altitude
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ZOOAMERICA
Color and label the map to represent the five areas represented within the zoo.
Explore the Zoo and complete the following.
Eastern Woodlands
Number of species found in this area______________________
What is the human influence that has
impacted this area?_____________________________________
____________________________________________________
North Woods
Number of species found in this area____________________
How is the habitat of this area described?_________________________
What is the uniqueness of this area?______________________________________
Big Sky
Number of species found in this area__________________________________________________
What geographic feature impacts the organisms in this area?_______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Grassy Waters
Number of species found in this area__________________________________________________
What is the origin of this name?______________________________________________________
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Who Are They?
ZOOAMERICA has an excellent collection of animals from North America but just who are
they. In this activity you are to select three animals from each of the areas represented and
classify them.
Area
Animal
Mammal
Fish
Reptile
Amphibian Bird
Woodland
North
Woods
Grassy
Waters
Cactus
Community
Big Sky
Country
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HERSHEY’S
CHOCOLATE WORLD
Tropical Plants of HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE WORLD Jungle
Take a tour of the Jungle and see how many of the rian forest plants you can located.
____Greek Vase Plant Acehmea Fasciata
____Shell Ginger Alpha zerumbete
____Gian Schifflera Brassia actinophyta
____Fishtail Palm Caryota urens
____Kafir Lily Clivia miniata
____Coffee Tree Coffea arabica
____Fan Plant Coryph
____Striped Dracaena Dracaena deremensis
____Fiddle Leaf Fig Ficus Lyatra
____Chinese Hibiscus Hibiscus roas-sinensis
____Ceriman Monstera deliciosa
____Banana Tree Musa xparadisica
____Blood Banana Musa zebrine
____Three Sided Palm Neodypsis decaryl
____Golden Candle Pachstachys lutea
____Alligator Pear Persea Americana
____Lacy Tree Philodendron selloum
____Malaysian Dracaenea Pleomele gracillis
____Hares Foot Fern Polypodium aureum
____Travelers Tree Ravenala cariensis
____Peace Lily Spathaphyllum
____Giant Bird of Paradise Strelitzia reginiae
____Cocao Tree Theobroma cocao
____Flaming Sward Vriesea splendens
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____Silver Queen Aglaonema
____Golden Rocket Ananas comosus
____Variegated Schefflera Brassaia arbicola
____Erupean Fan Palm Chamerops humilis
____Croton Codiaeum pictum
____Ti Plant Cordyline terminalis
____Princess Palm Dichtyosperma album
____Weeping Fig Ficus benjamina
____Scarlet Star Guzmania magnifica
HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE WORLD
While visiting HERSHEYPARK, stop at HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE WORLD visitors
center located next to the HERSHEYPARK entrance.
Inside you will find wonderful chocolate treats, souvenirs, and best of all an informative tour
ride that tells “The Story of Making Chocolate.” This riding tour will take you through the
entire process from the harvesting of the cocoa bean to the wrapping of the finished product.
So sit back and enjoy the ride. Afterwards, see how many of the questions you and your
friends can answer.
1. Which of the major biomes produce the cocoa bean?
2. Name the three countries where cocoa beans are produced?
3. How are the almonds harvested from the tree?
4. Name the three basic ingredients in chocolate.
5. What is the name of the mixing process that is essential to the development of the
chocolate flavor?
6. How hot is the bean roaster?
7. In the making of a HERSHEY’S bar, when is the candy handled by a human?
8. What substance is pressed out of the chocolate in making cocoa powder?
9. List the forms of transportation that are required to get the beans to the HERSHEY’S
factory.
10. Name as many HERSHEY’S chocolate products as you can.
You can pre-visit the ride at http://hersheys.com/chocolateworld/chocolate_tour.shtml
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Important Statistics
Carrousel
Radii
Inner horse
Middle horse
Outer
Total ride time
Single rotation time
English
25’
17.5’
20.5’
23.6’
2 minutes
11 seconds
Metric
7.62m
5.31m
6.22m
7.16m
2 minutes
11 seconds
Coal Cracker
Length of flume
Height of splash hill
Roundtrip time
English
1529.239’
44’
3 minl 11 sec.
Metric
466.1m
13.41m
3 min. 11 sec.
Comet
Height of first hill
Ride trip distance
Roundtrip time
Length of Train
English
84.2’
2950’
1 min 49 sec
40.0’
Metric
25.65m
899.1m
1 min. 49 sec.
12.19m
English
75 degrees
44.6’
44.6’
Metric
75 degrees
13.6m
13.6m
English
121.1 lift 1
116.5 lift 2
60’
1 min. 40 sec.
Metric
36.9m
35.48m
18.29m
1 min. 40 sec.
Pirate
Maximum swing angle
Radius swing
Maximum height of center of boat
Sidewinder
Height of hill
Length of train
Total ride time
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Important Statistics
Trailblazer
Height of hill
Average speed
Roundtrip distance
Length of Coaster
English
52’
175 ft./sec.
1890’
48’
Metric
15.85m
53.34m/sec.
576m
14.63m
English
81’
53’
42.6’
22.34 ft./sec.
2614.8’
Metric
24.69m
16.15m
1295m
6.81m /s
797m
TIDAL FORCE
Height of lift
Vertical drop
English
100’
100’
Metric
30.5m
30.5m
WILDCAT
Length of Train
Round trip distance
Vertical drop of first hill
English
42.6’
3100’
85’
Metric
12.95m
944.8m
2591m
Tilt-A-Whirl
Radius
Single rotation time
English
16’
11 sec.
Metric
4.88m
11 sec.
GREAT BEAR
Distance of track
English
2800’
Metric
853.44m
SOOPERDOOPERLOOPER
Height of hill
Height of loop
Length of train
Average speed
Round trip distance
29
Graph It
Use the data sheets in the back of this guide to provide your students with an opportunity to practice
their graphing skills
Sample titles:
30
Length of Coaster Train
Average Speeds
Coaster Vertical Heights
Round Trip Distance.
Data conversion page.
Once you have calculated the ft/sec or the m/sec. Use the conversion chart for a
quick reference to other units.
ft/sec
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
mi/hr
27.3
27.5
28.6
29.3
30
30.7
31.4
32.1
32.7
33.4
34.1
34.8
35.5
36.1
36.8
37.5
38.2
38.9
39.5
40.2
40.9
41.6
42.3
43
43.6
44.3
45
45.7
46.4
47
47.7
m /sec
12.2
12.5
12.8
13.1
13.4
13.7
14
14.3
14.6
14.9
15.2
15.5
15.8
16.2
16.5
16.8
17.1
17.4
17.7
18
18.3
18.6
18.9
19.2
19.5
19.8
20.1
20.4
20.7
21
21.3
©2008 HERSHEY ENTERTAINMENT & RESORTS COMPANY. All words, designs, and phrases appearing with the
symbol ®, SM, or TM are trademarks used under license or with permission.
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