This exhilarating curriculum is created in partnership with scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and NOAA to give students a realistic understanding of how the laws of physics affect their world while they work alongside leading researchers to observe, measure, and interpret data.
Forces and Motion: Terminal Velocity explains key concepts related to forces and motion in an engaging and exciting format in which students will perform scientific measurements to examine car crashes and design rovers to explore other planets, among other challenges. Within these missions, students will:
- Investigate how an understanding of velocity, momentum, and acceleration is key to designing cars that can absorb energy during a crash and save lives
- Explore how scientists use Newton’s three laws to land a one-ton rover safely on the surface of Mars
- Analyze how simple and complex machines are being used to clean up a devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico
Appropriate Grade Levels:
Innovatively designed to be appropriate for upper elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Rigorously aligned to national and state science standards as well as mathematics, social studies, and English language arts standards, and national curriculum standards including NCTM, IB, and ISTE.
