LESSON 1: Introduction to Fuel EfficiencyTime: Two 45-minute periods
Lesson Overview
Students review the basic concepts of fuel efficiency and alternative fuels. They utilize video resources to learn about different types of alternative fuels. Finally, they use the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE competition guidelines to develop a definition of vehicle efficiency that includes gasoline-powered as well as alternative-fuel vehicles.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:- Identify design features that affect vehicle efficiency.
- Describe alternative fuel sources.
- Develop a definition of vehicle efficiency that includes gasoline-powered and alternative-fuel vehicles.
Lesson Essential Questions
1. What physical factors affect fuel efficiency?
2. How is efficiency defined?
3. How can people compare the efficiency of different types of vehicles?
Videos & Interactives
Video Segment Electric Car versus Gas-powered Sports Car The team tests the performance of an electric car against a high-end sports car.
Full Video Green Gadgets: ZAP! Truck Highlights an electric truck that reduces the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. The ZAP! Truck is a solar/electric hybrid vehicle that runs on lithium-ion batteries. The truck's solar panels can generate power on a sunny day, or the vehicle can be plugged in to any normal electric socket.
Virtual Lab Vehicle Design Virtual Lab Solve the real-world challenges of automotive energy efficiency. Using engineering design steps, students identify a need, do research, establish design criteria, develop a design plan, implement and test the plan, and evaluate and communicate the results.
Downloads
Standards Addressed in G9-12 (PDF) Alternative Vehicle Energy Sources (PDF) Vehicle Design Lab Teacher's Guide (PDF) Vehicle Design Lab Student's Guide (PDF)
Links
Energy Information Administration Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center Reduce Climate Change - from FuelEconomy.gov How Hybrids Work Find a Car How Can a Gallon of Gasoline Produce 20 Pounds of Carbon Dioxide? Progressive Automotive X PRIZE competition guidelines (PDF) Data from U.S. Department of Energy Transportation Energy Data Book (Table 2.11) Data from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency CO2 calculations Progressive Automotive X PRIZE Why Progressive?