2013 educational programs include new 'laser 101' class amusement park | 2132 middlebury...

Press Release

Quassy Amusement Park | 2132 Middlebury Road | Middlebury, CT 06762 | P.O. Box 887 203-758-2913 | f203-598-7261 | [email protected] | Quassy.com

2013 Educational Programs Include NEW 'Laser 101' Class 1/4/2013

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

Press Release


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. --

30— * 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

Press Release


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)

2013 educational programs include new 'laser 101' class amusement park | 2132 middlebury...

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