Drag Racers!Drag Racers!Science/Engineering Science/Engineering

InvestigationInvestigation

Mrs.Teshara-TarttMrs.Teshara-Tartt Second Grade Second Grade Johnson S.T.E.M.Johnson S.T.E.M.

2010 - 20112010 - 2011

Content Area:Using critical thinking skills, students will investigate the principle

of drag on a moving object. The content areas of focus are science, technology, mathematics and engineering.

Focus Standards:ScienceInvestigation and Experimentation1.4 Students will ask meaningful questions and conduct careful investigations.2.1 Students will record observations and data.

Math ReasoningStatistics, Data Analysis, and Probability 1.1 Students determine the approach, materials and strategies to be used.2.2 Students relate the problem situations to number sentences involving addition and

subtraction

Project GroupingStudents will work in small science

teams to make and measure garbage bag drag-chutes and to

collect data. Final outcomes will be discussed as a whole group.

Investigation Task

1. Teams will construct garbage bag drag-chutes. 2. They will run from a starting point, holding the rolled up drag-chute to simulate no drag. Timers instruct the

students to “go” and record the time at finish. 3. The same two students will conduct the race again with the drag-chute unfurled to simulate drag on.

4. As a final step, timers and runners switch places and repeat the procedures. 5. In conclusion students will compare data, and conclude that racers will travel faster with no drag.

Getting Started Students measured

the bags and made predictions about the effects of drag on a moving object.

Student Predictions Student’s predictions ranged from:• “I predict that our race will be slower with the

drag-chutes unfurled.”

• “I predict that the teams will run faster by 8 to 10 seconds.”

• “The racers will not be affected much by drag.”

Engineering Process Students discussed

real world applications. Airplanes are designed to be sleek so that drag is reduced, allowing movement through the air.

Trial #1 Without Drag

Groups proceeded with the first trials of racing, with the garbage bag drag-chutes rolled up.

Trial #2Drag-Chutes Unfurled

Students prove that drag slows down the racing teams.

Data Collection

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Data Collection

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Results• Students evaluate data and show

computations to support trials.

Technology Supplies/Resources Supplied by MSAP• Teacher MAC Laptop

• Digital Camera• Flashdrives

• Computer Lab Computers• Classroom Printer• Engineering Lab• MS Power Point

Information and Resources Johnson Elementary MSAP Project Support Contact:

MSAP Coordinator Michelle Bryant Magnet Resource Teacher mbryant1@sandi.net

Curriculum & Planning & Tech Support Reba Gordon Matthews Computer Lab Teacher/ Site Ed. Tech/ NASA Explorer School Team Leader rmatthews@sandi.net

Science Michael Cook Science Lab Teacher mcook@sandi.net

Engineering Marisa Ramirez Engineering Lab Teacher mramirez1@sandi.net

Technical Support Dondi Jones Site Network Technician djones4@sandi.net