Science, Collaborate, Analyze, Apply

9th grade physical science, simulations, word processor (Microsoft Word), Zoho, PBWiki, cell phones, digital cameras, Animoto, VoiceThread

In 9th grade physical science students are studying forces and motion. As a culminating activity, your students will be competing for the job of building a roller coast for Adventureland, a local theme park. Student teams will research how roller coaster work using the online databases. Each team will use a roller coaster simulation to demonstrate the understanding of the skills and abilities necessary to work the company. Once they have demonstrated working knowledge of forces and motion they will be required to submit a job application and a building plan for the position. As part of the competition for the job, each team will build, test and present their roller coaster to a review committee.
Procedure:
1. Teacher explain scenario: An engineer firm is seeking employees to design the best (may be defined by class: might include things like time, height of drops, max speed, “wow factors” (like lops and spirals), etc) possible roller coaster at the lowest cost (materials are given a dollar value), must fit in a 100 m square (model can be built in to scale in 1 square meter)
2. To get hired by the firm student team must complete a “job application” in Microsoft Word to demonstrate basic understanding of the physics relating to building a roller coaster.
Examples could include:
a. Basic knowledge worksheet on forces and motion
b. Demonstrated completion of Roller coaster simulator. Demonstration may include written demonstration of what they learned with drawings of discoveries made during simulation or teacher made questions that the individual is to respond to.
c. Demonstrated completion of roller coaster simulation construction
d. Complete some simple force and motion labs:
how angle of incline affects marble speed
how mass effects speed and distance of rolling food cans
observation of Newtons cradle
how to find the speed of an object
Demonstration may include written demonstration using Zoho of what they learned with drawings of discoveries made during simulation or teacher made questions that the individual is to answer.
3. After successfully completing job application individuals are hired as part of a design team. Teams are given a set of practice materials and some investment “money”. Team is then given some time to try out some designs at making “the best” roller coaster they can.
Materials for this can vary, but an example might be using, tape, cardboard, and paper with a ping pong ball as the coaster. Team to share design discussion, ideas and collaborate on PBWiki.
Each member of the team is to record what they do each day as a work report for their supervisor. What did they try? How did it work? What will they do next?
If they need additional testing material they must use their “investment money”.
Materials: items used to a make coaster
Timing devices
Distance Measurement tools
4. After a set amount of time teams are to present their proposal to the review committee (the class could be the review team or parents or another class) with evidence to show why their project is the best (height of drops, max speed of ball, time to complete run) with a working model. This could also include video of testing and design using digital cameras (cell phones), Animoto and VoiceThread.
5. Presentations are evaluated in an attempt to determine the winner of the best design to award the contract.

Essential Skills and Concepts: L:Uses an effective writing process. Uses knowledge of purpose, audience, format, and medium in developing written communication. Uses writing as a tool for learning. Engages in the information literacy process: accesses, evaluates, and communicates
information and ideas. Incorporates technology as a tool to enhance writing. Considers audience and variables in the speaking situation. Produces a coherent message. Uses appropriate content and conventions for purpose, audience, occasion, and context. M: Builds new mathematical knowledge through problem solving. Applies and adapts a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems in mathematics and other contexts.Analyzes and evaluates the mathematical thinking and strategies of others. Uses the language of mathematics to express mathematical ideas precisely. Recognizes and uses connections among mathematical ideas and how they build on one another to produce a coherent whole. Recognizes and applies mathematics in contexts outside of mathematics. S: Designs and conducts scientific investigations. Uses technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications. Formulates and revises scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence. Recognizes and analyzes alternative explanations and models. Understands and applies knowledge of motions and forces. T: Use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Demonstrate critical thinking skills using appropriate tools and resources to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions E: Communicate and work productively with others, incorporating different perspectives and cross cultural understanding, to increase innovation and the quality of work. Demonstrate leadership skills, integrity, ethical behavior, and social responsibility while collaborating to achieve common goals.