Unit of Practice for CO2 Car Design
by Robert Tyrrell

The Big Question: How fast can a student make a CO2 Designed Car that weighs less than 3 ounces or 70 grams travel?

Tasks:

The students will construct a sketch, a prototype, which will help them build a CO2 powered car.

Situations:

Students will brainstorm a design and then sketch their idea of their dragster to scale. A prototype will be built out of styrofoam, before the actual wooden block is assigned. Painting and decorating is done last. The unit will last for 7 days.

Interactions:

A manual provides directions and construction limitations. Students make their own car but they can use eachother as references. Teacher facillitates, and helps with construction problems along the way.

Tools:

The students will use a CO2 car kit, sand paper, saws (hand, or bandsaw), pencil, paper, ruler, T-Square, and drill press or hand drill.

Assessments:

  1. Assessment may be done the teacher, self, and a peer. All, or any combination of these may be used.
  2. Student will be expected to sketch straight lines, label their measurements, and write legibly.
  3. The car will be graded on speed, design, neatness, and creativity. Point values may be given to each of these.

Standards:

Essential Academic Learning Requirements and components addressed:

 

 

COMMUNICATION

1. The student uses listening and observation skills to gain understanding.

To meet this standard, the student will:

1.1 focus attention

1.2 listen and observe to gain and interpret information

1.3 check for understanding by asking questions and paraphrasing

2. The student communicates ideas clearly and effectively.

To meet this standard, the student will:

2.1 communicate clearly to a range of audiences for different purposes

2.2 develop content and ideas

2.3 use effective delivery

2.4 use effective language and style

2.5 effectively use action, sound, and/or images to support presentations

3. The student uses communication strategies and skills to work effectively with others.

To meet this standard, the student will:

3.1 use language to interact effectively and responsibly with others

3.2 work cooperatively as a member of a group

3.3 seek agreement and solutions through discussion

 

MATHEMATICS

1. The student understands and applies the concepts and procedures of mathematics.

To meet this standard, the student will:

1.1 understand and apply concepts and procedures from number sense

1.2 understand and apply concepts and procedures from measurement

1.3 understand and apply concepts and procedures from geometric sense

1.4 understand and apply concepts and procedures from probability and statistics

1.5 understand and apply concepts and procedures from algebraic sense

2. The student uses mathematics to define and solve problems.

To meet this standard, the student will:

2.1 investigate situations

2.2 formulate questions and define the problem

2.3 construct solutions

3. The student uses mathematical reasoning.

To meet this standard, the student will:

3.1 analyze information

3.2 predict results and make inferences

3.3 draw conclusions and verify results

4. The student communicates knowledge and understanding in both everyday and mathematical language.

To meet this standard, the student will:

4.1 gather information

4.2 organize and interpret information

4.3 represent and share information

5. The student understands how mathematical ideas connect within mathematics, to other subject areas, and to real-life situations.

To meet this standard, the student will:

5.1 relate concepts and procedures within mathematics

5.2 relate mathematical concepts and procedures to other disciplines

5.3 relate mathematical concepts and procedures to real-life situations

 

 

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Robert Tyrrell
6-8th Grade Technology/Shop
Selah Middle School
Selah School District