LESSON 1: Force and MotionTime: 45 minutes
Lesson Overview
Students begin this module by conducting a variety of investigations to help them review the basic concepts of force and motion. They combine prior knowledge with these experiences to visualize how a force is needed to make an object move. Students begin by exploring pushes, pulls and balanced forces. Then they observe the relative strain on a rubber band as it is used to pull an increasingly heavy load. Additional activities help to reinforce this concept and demonstrate how force and motion relate to friction. Students use engineering journals to explain their thinking and record what they have learned to help them prepare for the vehicle designs they create at the end of the module.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:- Explain in simple terms the concepts of force, motion, and friction.
- Describe the basic forces of push or pull acting on an object.
Lesson Essential Questions
1. What is a force?
2. What is necessary to get an object to move?
3. How does friction affect the motion of an object?
Videos & Interactives
Exploration About Force Have you ever played tug of war? In this game, two teams pull the ends of a rope in opposite directions. The team that pulls the other team across the center line wins. When a team pulls the rope, they apply Force. Want to know more About Force? Let's explore and find out.
