Funtown Splashtown USA
Funtown Splashtown USA Press Release
SCIENCE MOVES TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE
AT FUNTOWN PHYSICS DAY
Saco, Maine - Middle and high students from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts will be applying concepts learned in the classroom to complete problems based on the rides at Funtown USA. Over 2,500 students from 49 schools will be participating between May 20 and May 21, a record in both number of students and number of schools participating.
 
"On Physics Day, the park transforms from a regular amusement park to a giant physics lab, with the next generation of scientists collecting and analyzing data from the park's rides", said Ed Hodgdon, the park's marketing manager. "Students learn about momentum on the Grand Prix Racers and Bumper Cars, velocity on the Excalibur and Wild Mouse coasters, and G-forces on the Dragon's Descent."
 
Steve DeAngelis of Maranacook Community High School in Readfield, Maine brings a group of students to Physics Day every year. According to DeAngelis, "The Physics Day experience is both fun and extremely educational for my students, not to mention motivational." This year, over 100 students will be attending from Maranacook between both days.

"This year, students from Gorham Middle School and Jordan Small Middle School will be using the park's new Middle School Science curriculum," said Hodgdon. "Meredith Weglarz, a 2009 University of New England graduate, working with Dr. James Vesenka of UNE developed the new program for middle school-level science classes. We are very excited to begin offering middle school classes a program similar to that of their high school counterparts."

"Every year, the park holds a physics teachers workshop, demonstrating how Physics Day is an important part of the curriculum," said Ken Cormier, park president and CEO. He added "The Physics Day program has been so successful at the high school level that middle school and elementary-level programs will be developed. We need to do all that we can to get today's youth interested and engaged in math and science."

This is the 17th year that Funtown USA has hosted special Physics Day groups. In the last 10 years, the number of participating schools and students has more than doubled, prompting the park to offer two days. Pasco Scientific of Roseville, California and the University of Maine in Orono work with the park on Physics Day.
List of Participating Schools by Date
 
Thursday May 20 - Biddeford High School, Biddeford, Maine; Boothbay Region High School, Boothbay Harbor, Maine; Buckfield Junior/Senior High School, Buckfield, Maine; Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, Maine; Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, Northwood, New Hampshire; Dirigo High School, Dixfield, Maine; Edward Little High School, Auburn, Maine; Fort Fairfield High School, Fort Fairfield, Maine; Gould Academy, Bethel, Maine; Hebron Academy, Hebron, Maine; Hyde School, Bath, Maine; Jay High School, Jay, Maine; Kennebunk High School, Kennebunk, Maine; Lake Region High School, Naples, Maine; Lewiston High School, Lewiston, Maine; Lincoln Academy, Newcastle, Maine; Maranacook Community High School, Readfield, Maine; Messalonskee High School, Oakland, Maine; Mount Ararat High School, Topsham, Maine; Mount View High School, Thorndike, Maine; Noble High School, North Berwick, Maine; Nute High School, Milton, New Hampshire; Oak Hill High School, Wales, Maine; Old Colony Regional Vocational High School, Rochester, Massachusetts; Old Orchard Beach High School, OOB, Maine; Pembroke Academy, Pembroke, New Hampshire; Seacoast Christian School, South Berwick, Maine; Telstar High School, Bethel, Maine; Traip Academy, Kittery, Maine; Windham High School, Windham, Maine; Winnacunnett High School, Hampton, New Hampshire
 
Friday May 21 - Erskine Academy, South China, Maine; Fryeburg Academy, Fryeburg, Maine; Gardiner Area High School, Gardiner, Maine; Gorham High School and Gorham Middle School; Gorham, Maine; Groveton High School, Groveton, NH; Hampden Academy, Hampden, Maine; Hermon High School, Hermon, Maine; Jordon Small Middle School, Raymond, Maine; Kennebunk High School, Kennebunk, Maine; Kents Hill School, Kents Hill, Maine; Lisbon High School, Lisbon Falls, Maine; Marshwood High School, South Berwick, Maine; Massabesic High School, Waterboro, Maine; Mountain Valley High School, Rumford, Maine; Pine Tree Academy, Freeport, Maine; Sunapee Senior High School, Sunapee, New Hampshire
About Funtown Splashtown USA
Funtown Splashtown USA is Maine's largest family-themed water and amusement park, located on U.S. Route 1 in Saco. The 82-acre park offers over 45 rides, water slides and pools for thrills and excitement, with some of the largest attractions in Northern New England. For park hours and information, please call 207-284-5139 or visit www.funtownsplashtownusa.com.
Funtown Splashtown USA
Ed Hodgdon, Marketing Manager
207-284-5139 x102
Funtown Splashtown USA
Ken Cormier, President/CEO 
207-284-5139