The theme for the 2012 program is the "Physics of Amusement Parks". Participants will become acquainted with the foundations of physics while they immerse themselves in the joy of hands-on learning. They will learn about gravity, energy, and structural integrity as they discover how machines work and what makes them safe. Working in teams with guidance from high school Peer Instructors and professional engineers, participants will design and produce several structures throughout the week including a scaled model of a roller coaster as well as their own Rube Goldberg machines, using their knowledge of physics fundamentals to tackle a number of design challenges.