Before Watching
-
Before class, collect pictures of a variety of cars from
automobile advertisements. Post the pictures on the board.
Before they watch the program, ask the students to look at the
pictures and think about the features of various auto designs.
Which cars seem designed to go fast. What design features seem
to be related to speed? As they watch the program, ask students
to look for similarities and differences between the designs of
consumer cars and racing cars.
-
Although the cars used in the Indianapolis 500 are the result of
advanced engineering and technology, this program emphasizes the
importance of "the human factor" in winning the race. While they
watch, have students be alert to the importance of the drivers'
observations and intuitive reactions during the testing process.
After Watching
-
Conduct a soup race with your class. Collect several different
flavors of canned soup (some with noodles, some with rice, some
clear broths, and so forth). To make the most accurate
comparisons, all the cans should be of the same size. You will
also need a stopwatch and a long flat ramp surface,
approximately four feet long and at least a foot wide (a
playground slide is ideal, although any long board will do).
-
Divide the class into teams. Give each team at least three cans
containing different kinds of soup. Ask the students to predict
which cans will be the fastest. After they have made their
predictions, have each group conduct two or more trials with
their cans to see which cans are fastest. Each group will then
enter its fastest can in the final round. Compare the entrants
in the final round. (The ingredients in some soup will "roll"
differently than other types, but the students can determine
this through observations.) Further experiments can be done with
cans of fruit, vegetables, soda, potato sticks, and other
products.
|
|
