INTEGRATED SCIENCE, MATH AND TECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES:

This example of an integrated S/M/T Activity has been provided to show possible Science, Math and Technology connections to the challenges presented above.  Students will be able to calculate acceleration as they conduct several experiments on playground equipment and/or amusement park rides. Understanding the following concepts will be important and should be reviewed and revisited throughout the activities.

Newton's Second Law
f = ma     a = f/m    
where f is force, m is mass, a is acceleration

Spring Accelerometer (Vertical)
mgs  + mg = ma,  F3 = mgs
where m is the mass of the object, a is acceleration, g is acceleration due to gravity, gs is observed equivalent acceleration and F3 is calculated force

Spring Accelerometer (Centripetal)
ac = v2/r = 4P2r/T2
Fc  = mac = mvc/r  =  4P2r/T2
where ac  is centripetal acceleration, r is radius of path, T is the period, V is tangential speed, Fc is centripetal force, and m is mass

Horizontal Accelerometer
a = g tan q
where a is horizontal acceleration, g is acceleration due to gravity, and  q is the angle of deflection of the bob from vertical (g = 9.8 m/s2) (See Note.)

NOTE: Acceleration (in m/s2) or (in g?s) would be:  a (in g?s) = (acceleration in m/s2) ? 1/ 9.8 m/s2

PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS:

These steps may be helpful to students in approaching their activity:

• Form cooperative groups (2 to 3 people)
• Brainstorm for ideas
• Sketch possible solutions
• Decide how to construct, maneuver, operate, etc. the project
• Select and gather materials
• Construct the design
• Test the design
• Present the design

RESOURCES:

Additional materials may be found at the following locations:

• "Toying Around with Science" by Bob Friedhoffer, ISBN: 0531157431
• "Mathematics Meets Technology" by Brian Bolt, ISBN: 0521376920
• "Amusement Park Physics" by Nathan Unterman, ISBN: 0825116813
• "Roller Coaster Science" by Jim Wiese, ISBN: 0471594040
• "Concepts in Physics" CRM Books, Delmar, CA

PROPOSED CURRICULUM STANDARDS CONNECTIONS:

The following Curriculum/Standards Connections for grades 5-8 are intended to aid in the use and assessment of the design challenge projects.  NOTE: These connections have been extracted from the National Standards.  You should check their correlation with your own State Curriculum Standards to ensure consistency with your curriculum goals.

Note on Assessment:  We strongly recommend using the Student Reflection Sheet and the Rubric provided in the Appendix to enhance the learning process, by encouraging student awareness and participation in the assessment of their work.  These tools can help students to understand the context, meaning, and value of undertaking these challenges.

Science Content Standards	Standards for School Mathematics	Standards for Design and Technology
Science as Inquiry - inquiry into wind energy and  its applications Physical Science Motion and Forces - application of motion and force to wind machines Transfer of Energy - conversion of energy into different forms Life Science Earth and Space Science Earth in the solar system - nature of weather and the operation of  wind  as source of natural energy Science and Technology: Understanding about science and technology - applications of  wind  as alternative energy source Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Populations, resources, and environments - reducing pollution through the use of renewable energy Risks and benefits - benefits and problems of using wind energy History and Nature of Science Science as human endeavor - extending scientific knowledge through technological applications	Mathematics as problem solving Mathematics as communication Mathematics as reasoning Mathematical connections - applying math to real problems in science and technology Number and number relationships Number systems and number theory Computation and estimation Patterns and functions Algebra - application of power and efficiency formulae Statistics - graphing comparison of input and output of windmill Probability Geometry - use of geometry in the design and development of blades and sails of windmills Measurement - use of measuring tools for building models and for determining the power input/output of windmills	Design - improvement of selected aspects of  wind machines (blades, propellers, sails) Develop and produce products and systems - building of operating historical models - windmills as machines and systems Use and manage technology - research and inquiry via the internet and other sources - use of tools and machines in the building of the models Assess the impacts and consequences of technology - impact of technological  innovations on development of cities and industry Nature and history of technology - evolution of technology and its role in human and social development - evolution of technology based on availability of materials (diversity of wind machines, world-wide) Connections - integration of science, math and technology in the development of inventions and innovations