Skateboard Science A Hands-on Exploration of the Physics of Motion - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Skateboard Science A Hands-on Exploration of the Physics of Motion

Phase 1: Learning about Mechanics Working in design teams, students built and experimented with three dimensional models of skatepark equipment to explore the physics of skateboarding. Students rotated roles as architect, accountant, engineer, and recorder. Teams earned Construction Cash for good cooperative work, sound scientific procedures, and clear explanations of the physics behind each of the obstacles.

Phase 2: Planning & Building the Skate Park Using what students learned about potential and kinetic energy, friction, and inertia, they designed and built a cardboard working skatepark.

Planning the Skate Park Design teams decided which obstacles to purchase with the construction cash they earned in Phase 1. Pictures of obstacles as well as their point value will be next to each skate park. Design plans required students to stay under budget and to decide on the order of the obstacles within the park.

The Tools & Materials

Eshleman Design Teams ● Star Skaters ● Dinomite ● Sk8er Cr8ers ● Exotic Zebras ● Infinities

Star Skaters Eshleman Grades 2&3

Dinomite Eshleman Grades 2&3

Sk8er Cr8ers Eshleman Grade 4

Exotic Zebras Eshleman Grade 4

Infinities Eshleman Grades 5&6

Pequea Design Teams ● The Drasticools ● Skatergirls ● Skateboard Scientists ● Cardboard Inc. (CBI) ● The Hawks

The Drasticools Pequea Grade 4

Skatergirls Pequea Grades 3&4

Skateboard Scientists Pequea Grades 5&6

Cardboard Inc. (CBI) Pequea Grades 5&6

The Hawks: Pequea 5&6

Calculating Point Values Teams calculated the maximum point value for their completed park as well as the average point value of 6 trial runs. Each obstacle has a point value based on the degree of difficulty for the marble-skater. To earn the maximum points, the marble-skater had to flow from one obstacle to the next without stopping and without injury. Injuries are when the marble-skater suffers a hard hit or flies out of the park. Obstacle values were multiplied to obtain the maximum point value.

Eshleman Point Values

Pequea Point Values

The Completed Parks During testing teams observed variables that affected the outcome of the marble-skaters flow, causing them to think, then do. Again and again. After many hours (27 to be exact!) of planning, constructing, testing, and testing again, teams completed their parks. Let's take a look at the completed parks!

Pequea Parks

The Drasticools

Skatergirls

Skateboard Scientists

Cardboard Inc.

The Hawks

Eshleman Parks

Star Skaters

Dinomite

Sk8er Cr8ers

Infinities

Phase 3: Skatepark Expo ● Design Teams demonstrate their skatepark models to an audience of "investors". They are competing to see which park model investors would build. ● Investment Teams will spend 5 minutes at each park completing a Score Sheet. ● Each Investor will cast an individual vote as to which park they want to see built!

This Unit... ● demanded action and generated activity and ideas. ● was a real-life engineering challenge in a team environment. ● increased brain work and hand work! ● provided an opportunity to work with hands in the third dimension. ● allowed students to SHOW not tell what they learned. ● helped students resolve conflicts. ● helped students see knowledge in another context.