Properties of Motion

Students become theme park scientists for a day as they apply the scientific method to explore acceleration, velocity, and potential and kinetic energy at Disney’s Properties of Motion ® seminar. But this is no ordinary seminar; students find enrichment, inspiration, and pure fun as they see how principles they’re learning in the classroom are at the core of bringing Magic Kingdom Park attractions to life.

  • On the ride from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom ® main entrance, the Disney’s trained and knowledgeable Y.E.S. (Youth Education Series) facilitator introduces students to the scientific method, which acts as a tool for explorations into the principles of physics.
  • Disney Y.E.S. field studies allow students to do things they can’t do anywhere else in the world. They go on major Magic Kingdom ® attractions, like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ®, Space Mountain ®, and Splash Mountain ® to explore the laws of physics, ride and simulate a roller-coaster ride, and collect data.
  • The experience of Properties of Motion ® gives them the tools to study speed, velocity, acceleration, hydraulics, pneumatics, gravity, acceleration, and inertia.

During this interactive field study, students will:

  • Apply the Scientific Method to everyday situations.
  • Identify cause‐and‐effect relationships.
  • Identify potential and kinetic energy.
  • Identify and define speed, velocity, and acceleration.
  • Articulate the concepts of hydraulics and pneumatics.
  • Define and demonstrate Newton’s First Law of Motion.
  • Define gravity.
  • Demonstrate gravitational effects.
  • Define centripetal force.
  • Articulate and demonstrate how to calculate for centripetal force.
  • Articulate physical effects of vertical and lateral acceleration.
  • Use indirect measurement to determine distance.

Classes are broken up into three age ranges.