Taking Education to New Heights
STEM Field Trips at Launch Ann Arbor
Physics + Fun + Flight
Turn your next school field trip into a hands-on learning experience. At Launch Family Entertainment Ann Arbor, students can explore real-world physics concepts through movement, observation, experimentation and play.
Learning in Motion
Where Physics Comes to Life
Some concepts are easier to understand when students can experience them for themselves. The Launch STEM Educational Challenge introduces students to basic laws of physics through hands-on activities throughout the park.
Students explore concepts connected to Newton’s Laws of Motion, energy transfer, reaction time, jump height, balance, stability and leverage while having an awesome time with their classmates.
Explore. Experiment. Discover.
4 Hands-On STEM Challenges
The STEM Educational Challenge turns attractions throughout Launch into opportunities to observe physics in action.
Challenge 01
Energy Transfer
The Concept: Can energy move from one object to another?
Students use a lightweight foam ball and the trampoline surface to observe what happens when energy is transferred through movement.
Challenge 02
Reaction Time
The Concept: How does distance affect reaction time?
Students test different distances and compare how quickly they can react, then connect their observations to situations they encounter in everyday life.
Challenge 03
Jump Height
The Concept: How do trampolines impact jump height?
Students compare their reach from a solid platform with their reach while jumping on a trampoline and investigate the role trampoline springs play in the result.
Challenge 04
Battle Beam Stability
The Concept: How does repositioning your body affect stability?
Through controlled observations on the Battle Beam, students investigate center of mass, leverage, pivot points and counter-balancing.
More Than a Field Trip
The learning doesn’t have to begin or end at Launch. Teachers can introduce key physics concepts before their visit and continue the conversation back in the classroom afterward.
Before Your Visit
Get Ready to Launch
Prepare students for their experience by introducing key physics vocabulary and concepts before arriving at Launch.
- Force
- Motion
- Acceleration
- Velocity
- Gravity
- Inertia
- Potential Energy
- Kinetic Energy
After Your Visit
Bring the Learning Back
Keep students thinking about what they experienced with simple classroom follow-up activities.
- Discuss gravitational forces and energy transfer.
- Share and discuss student reflections.
- Identify everyday objects that demonstrate basic physics concepts.
- Have students present their observations and discoveries.
Teacher Resources
Everything You Need to Launch Into Learning
Use these resources to help plan your visit, guide students through the activities and add even more excitement to your field trip.
STEM Educational Challenge
Use the complete STEM guide to prepare for your trip and lead students through the four hands-on challenges.
The Launch Difference Challenge
Add friendly competition to your group experience with attraction-based challenges. Let us know you’re participating and we’ll even provide prizes for the winners!
Plan Your STEM Field Trip
STEM activities can be incorporated into your Launch Ann Arbor field trip to create an experience that’s educational, active and anything but ordinary.
✓ Groups of 15+
✓ Flexible Food Options
✓ Free Chaperones Included
✓ Weekday Availability
Ready to start planning? Speak with the Launch Ann Arbor team about your school or group.
Ready to Make Some Awesome Memories?
Plan your visit to Launch Ann Arbor and turn your next field trip into an experience your students won’t forget.