Teacher
Prep Time
2 hours
Grouping
-- Class
-- Groups
Materials
-- | Ramp |
-- | Vehicles |
-- | Tape |
-- | Tape measure |
-- | Stopwatch |
-- | Protractor |
-- | Art supplies |
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ACTIVITY 1
Explain to the class that "daredevils" drive motorcycles, cars, bikes, etc. to
jump across very wide gaps.
Divide the class into groups of three or four and give each group materials to
build an adjustable ramp. Ask them to bring to class any small vehicle that has
a power source. Have each group experiment with its vehicle and ramp to
determine the effects of altering velocity, ramp angle, and vehicle weight.
They should record the parameters of each test run and formulate a chart that
predicts a jump given only a vehicle's velocity and weight and the ramp angle.
Give the students tape, a tape measure, and a stopwatch so they are able to
calculate the speed of the vehicle.
Ask the groups to test prediction accuracy of the chart, using a different
vehicle for testing. Each group is to present its findings to the class and
suggest how to improve the accuracy of the chart.
ACTIVITY 2
Hold a class discussion about energy, and brainstorm benefits and drawbacks
for each type of energy. Challenge the groups to substitute a new energy
source to propel the vehicle it used when testing the accuracy of the chart. The
groups should demonstrate how their altered vehicle functions while
explaining the new source of energy and how it differs from the original.
ACTIVITY 3
Ask students to select a mode of transportation and research its history. Each
student is to make a visual representation that shows the stages of the
evolution of the method and how each new stage improved its efficiency.
Hold a discussion of how efficiency in transportation could be improved even
further and how it would impact our society, for example, What would be the
effect of more people traveling greater distances in shorter amounts of time.
Ask students to project what transportation will be like in the future. Have
them create a realistic timeline for transportation beginning in the year 1800 up
to the year 2105. Encourage them to be as creative as they can, while
maintaining a logical procession of events. Display the timeline for the entire
school to see.
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