Return to Lesson Plan Index
Printer Friendly Version
Grades: 9
Author: Vitaliy Baranovskiy
Source: Original - This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. EEC- 1542358.
Students will be working in pairs to design and build energy car that meets specific requirements by using knowledge of polymer chemistry, and laws of physics. The goal of the project is to build a car that would go maximum distance when launched by rubber band, therefore, students will have to apply knowledge about motion, friction, and engineering principles to achieve best results. Energy car must be build from wood platform, and wheels from thermoplastic. During this lesson, students will learn about thermoplastics (polymers), friction (sliding, rolling, fluid, static), and motion (speed, acceleration, velocity).
What should students know as a result of this lesson?
What should the students be able to do as a result of this lesson?
Wood platform, (2 inches x 4 inches), HEA-500 thermoplastic, nails, lubricants, sand paper, glue, rubber bands, hot water (80 degrees C), balance, ruler/meter.
Engagement
Introduce students to polymers by asking students questions: What are polymers? Where are they used? And name few uses of polymers. Following discussion about polymers, demonstrate polymer "thermoplastic HEA-500" and explain how this would be used in making wheels for the energy car.
Exploration
Introduce students to entire project and ask them to work in their groups in designing and building wheels for energy car from thermoplastic HEA-500. Afterwards, ask students to build energy car by following appropriate guidelines.
Explanation
After students build energy car, ask students what can they do to maximize distance travelled by the car. Introduce the idea of friction, and ask students to evaluate and optimize their energy car to reduce frictional forces.
Elaboration
Let students test their energy car and see which cars will travel greatest distance. Following testing for the energy cars, review idea of polymers and friction and give students short assessment.
Knowledge of motion, speed, velocity, acceleration.
In order to complete this lesson plan make sure students are able to work on energy cars and wheels for at least 3 hours but no more than 5 hours. Allow students to observe other groups for ideas and suggestions.
NGSS Standards:
Ohio Standards:
Motion:
Motion, speed, velocity, acceleration, polymer, friction, rolling friction, sliding friction, fluid friction, static friction.
Follow laboratory safety rules including wearing safety goggles, do not touch hot water what would be used to melt thermoplastic.
Students will be able to experience how polymers are used in real world.
Students should be able to build energy car and optimize it to reduce frictional forces on it. After project assess students knowledge on polymers and different types of friction.
Grouping Suggestions: Let students work in pairs and allow them to choose their own partners.
Pacing/Suggested Time: 1 day for introduction; 3 days for building energy car; 1 day for evaluation and testing
Evaluation Rubric:
