Created byKarle Delo

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Miniature Crash Test Design

Grade 7Science6 days

★★★★★

5.0 (1 rating)

This project challenges 7th-grade science students to design and build a miniature crash test system, applying Newton's Third Law to investigate car safety. Students explore how different design features and speeds influence collision impact force. They conduct experiments, analyze data, and iteratively refine their designs to minimize impact forces and improve car safety. The project culminates in a final crash test and analysis of the effectiveness of their design.

Newton's Third LawCollisionImpact ForceCar SafetyEngineering DesignExperimentationData Analysis

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design and build a miniature crash test system, applying Newton's Third Law, to investigate how different design features and speeds influence collision impact force and improve car safety?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

How can Newton's Third Law be applied to understand car collisions?
What factors influence the impact force during a collision?
How can we design a system to minimize the impact force on a car during a collision?
What materials and design features can improve car safety in collisions?
How does the speed of the colliding objects affect the outcome of the collision?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will be able to apply Newton's Third Law to design and build a miniature crash test system.

NGSS

MS-PS2-1

Primary

Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.Reason: This standard directly aligns with the project's focus on applying Newton's Third Law to design a crash test system.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Slow-Motion Impact

Students watch a slow-motion video of a car crash test, focusing on the impact forces and energy transfer. They then brainstorm initial design ideas for their own miniature crash test systems, considering materials, scale, and data collection methods.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Newton's Third Law in Action

Students will explore Newton's Third Law by designing and conducting simple experiments involving collisions. They will document their observations and analyze how forces interact in pairs.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Brainstorm examples of Newton's Third Law in everyday life, like jumping or bouncing a ball.

2. Design simple experiments using readily available materials (e.g., balloons, marbles, toy cars) to demonstrate action-reaction force pairs.

3. Conduct the experiments, meticulously recording observations and measurements.

4. Analyze the results and explain how they demonstrate Newton's Third Law.

5. Create diagrams and written explanations for each experiment, clearly illustrating action-reaction force pairs.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA lab report detailing experiments, observations, and analysis demonstrating understanding of Newton's Third Law, including diagrams and written explanations.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-PS2-1 - Applying Newton's Third Law: This activity focuses on understanding and demonstrating Newton's Third Law, the core principle behind the project.

Activity 2

Crash Test Design Blueprint

Building upon their understanding of Newton's Third Law, students will brainstorm and sketch initial designs for their miniature crash test systems. They will consider materials, scale, and methods for measuring impact forces.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Review the principles of Newton's Third Law and how they apply to collisions.

2. Brainstorm various design ideas for the crash test system, considering different materials and scales.

3. Sketch detailed designs, labeling components and materials.

4. Describe how the design will measure impact forces and how it incorporates Newton's Third Law to mitigate those forces.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityDetailed sketches and initial design plans for the crash test system, including proposed materials, measurements, and considerations of Newton's Third Law.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-PS2-1 - Designing a Solution: Students will begin designing their miniature crash test systems, focusing on incorporating Newton's Third Law to control impact forces.

Activity 3

Collision Course: Building and Testing

Students will construct their miniature crash test systems using their chosen materials. They will conduct test collisions, collect data on impact forces, and analyze the results to refine their designs.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Gather the necessary materials and construct the crash test system based on the design blueprint.

2. Conduct a series of test collisions, varying factors like speed and materials, and collect data on impact forces.

3. Analyze the data collected, noting trends and drawing conclusions about the effectiveness of the design.

4. Identify areas for design improvement and make necessary adjustments to minimize impact forces.

5. Document the entire testing process, including data, observations, and design changes.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA working miniature crash test system, a log of test results and data analysis, and a summary of design improvements based on testing.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-PS2-1 - Building and Testing: Students will construct and test their designs, applying their knowledge of Newton's Third Law.

Activity 4

Impact Innovators: Refining the Design

Students will refine their crash test systems based on the data collected and analysis conducted in the previous activity. They will make adjustments to their designs to minimize impact forces and improve car safety.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Review the data and analysis from the previous testing phase.

2. Identify areas for improvement and brainstorm specific design changes to address these areas.

3. Implement the design changes, modifying the crash test system accordingly.

4. Conduct further testing with the refined design, collecting new data on impact forces.

5. Analyze the new data and compare it to the previous results, evaluating the effectiveness of the design changes.

6. Document the entire refinement process, including design changes, test data, and analysis.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA refined and improved miniature crash test system, a report detailing the design changes made based on testing data, and a final analysis of collision impact and safety features.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-PS2-1 - Iterative Design and Improvement: Students will refine their designs based on testing data, demonstrating an iterative design process.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Newton's Third Law Crash Test Evaluation Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Newton's Third Law

Evaluates the student's grasp of Newton's Third Law as it applies to car collisions and their ability to explain and demonstrate this understanding through experiments and explanations.

Criterion 1

Conceptual Understanding

Assesses the student's ability to explain Newton's Third Law and its application in experiments and car crash scenarios.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides a comprehensive and sophisticated explanation of Newton's Third Law, effectively linking it to each experiment and crash scenario studied. Demonstrates a deep understanding through detailed explanations and examples.

Proficient

3 Points

Offers a thorough explanation of Newton's Third Law, effectively linking it to most experiments and crash scenarios. Demonstrates a clear understanding through solid explanations and examples.

Developing

2 Points

Provides a basic explanation of Newton's Third Law with limited connection to experiments or crash scenarios. Understanding appears inconsistent or partial.

Beginning

1 Points

Provides a minimal explanation of Newton's Third Law with little or no connection to experiments or crash scenarios. Understanding is vague or incorrect.

Criterion 2

Experiment Execution

Measures the student's ability to effectively design and conduct experiments demonstrating action-reaction force pairs with clarity and accuracy.

Exemplary

4 Points

Designs and conducts experiments that are exceptionally well thought-out, clearly demonstrating Newton's Third Law with precise observations and accurate data.

Proficient

3 Points

Designs and conducts coherent experiments, clearly demonstrating Newton's Third Law with generally accurate observations and data.

Developing

2 Points

Designs and conducts basic experiments, but with some inconsistencies or inaccuracies in observations or data.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to design or conduct coherent experiments, resulting in unclear demonstrations or inaccurate data.

Category 2

Design Skill and Innovation

Assesses the creativity and technical skill demonstrated in the design and construction of the crash test system, as well as the integration of Newton's Third Law in design plans.

Criterion 1

Creative Design and Construction

Evaluates the creativity and practicality of the designs and solutions implemented in the crash test system.

Exemplary

4 Points

Develops innovative and practical designs that are exceptionally well-crafted and demonstrate a deep understanding of engineering principles.

Proficient

3 Points

Designs are thoughtful and practical, showing clear understanding of engineering principles and effective use of materials.

Developing

2 Points

Designs are basic but functional, with some evidence of engineering understanding but limited creativity or sophistication.

Beginning

1 Points

Designs lack coherence or practicality and show minimal understanding of engineering principles.

Criterion 2

Incorporation of Newton's Third Law

Measures how effectively Newton's Third Law is integrated into the design and functionality of the crash test system.

Exemplary

4 Points

Newton's Third Law is seamlessly integrated into the design with clear, innovative solutions for impact mitigation.

Proficient

3 Points

Newton's Third Law is effectively incorporated into the design with clear solutions for impact mitigation.

Developing

2 Points

Some aspects of Newton's Third Law are incorporated into the design, but lack effectiveness or clarity in application.

Beginning

1 Points

Limited or unclear application of Newton's Third Law in the design, with minimal effectiveness.

Category 3

Data Analysis and Iterative Improvement

Evaluates the student's ability to analyze experimental data and use findings to iteratively improve crash test designs.

Criterion 1

Data Collection and Interpretation

Measures the student's skill in collecting, interpreting, and presenting data from experiments and tests.

Exemplary

4 Points

Collects comprehensive data with detailed interpretation, drawing insightful conclusions that enhance understanding and design.

Proficient

3 Points

Collects thorough data and provides accurate interpretations, drawing meaningful conclusions for design improvements.

Developing

2 Points

Collects basic data with some interpretation, but conclusions may be limited or not fully justified by the data.

Beginning

1 Points

Data collection is inconsistent or inaccurate, with minimal or incorrect interpretation.

Criterion 2

Design Refinement and Testing

Assesses the student's ability to iteratively refine and improve designs based on test data and feedback.

Exemplary

4 Points

Implements thoughtful, well-justified design refinements leading to significant improvements in crash test outcomes.

Proficient

3 Points

Implements sensible design refinements that enhance outcomes based on data and feedback.

Developing

2 Points

Makes minimal or inconsistent design changes, resulting in limited improvements.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to make effective design changes, with little or no improvement seen in outcomes.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on the entire design and testing process. What were the most challenging aspects of applying Newton's Third Law to design your crash test system?

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Question 2

How did your understanding of Newton's Third Law evolve throughout this project?

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Required

Question 3

Evaluate the effectiveness of your final crash test system design. How well did it minimize impact forces, and what design features contributed most to its success?

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Required

Question 4

If you were to continue this project, what further improvements or investigations would you pursue?

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Optional

Question 5

On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident are you in your ability to apply Newton's Third Law to real-world problems?

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Required