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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Design a Course with Friction

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Design a Course with Friction

A 6th, 7th Grade STEM Lesson

Lisa Barnard

May 2024

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Notes for Teachers

My students worked in groups for this activity to also work on our collaboration skills.

Depending on how long your classes are and how quickly the students work through the activities, this could take from 1-5 days.

My students LOVE remote controlled cars and they inspired this activity!

List of Materials

Remote Controlled Cars 3- let students check out a car from you for 3-5 minutes to collect data when their surface is set up. (Amazon has some cheap options that would work. I chose to buy ones with grant money that would last since multiple classes will be using them)- EAZYRC Arizona RC Crawler 1/18 Scale Remote Control Car 4WD Off Road Truck Climbing Car Models RTR with 2.4GHz Transmitter Battery and Charger
Stopwatches
3 different surfaces for students to test- ideas include cardboard, tile floor, carpeted floor, rocky surface, blocks, etc. I allowed my students to choose from different materials.
Calculators- Amazon.com : Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS Scientific Calculator, Black with Blue Accents : Office Products
Cones- Amazon.com : 7 Inch Soccer Cones, 24 Pack Cones Sports Training Agility Field Marker Plastic Cones for Skating Basketball Football Practice Drills, Indoor Outdoor Activity Events Games Obstacle Course - 6 Colors
Meter sticks or measuring tape
Each student needs a copy of the Remote Control Cars and Friction Lesson 4 Recording Sheet
Each student needs a copy of the Friction Racetrack Engineering Challenge

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Standards

AZ 6th Grade Science:

6.P4U2.5 Analyze how humans use technology to store (potential) and/or use (kinetic) energy.

AZ 7th Grade Science:

7.P3U1.4 Use non-algebraic mathematics and computational thinking to explain Newton’s laws of motion.

AZ 6th Grade Math:

6.SP.B.5: Summarize numerical data sets in relation to their context by:c. Giving quantitative measures of center (median and/or mean) and variability (interquartile range and/or mean absolute deviation), as well as describing any overall pattern and any striking deviations from the overall pattern with reference to the context in which the data were gathered.

AZ Engineering Practices

Science and Engineering Practices:

ask questions and define problems
develop and use models
plan and carry out investigations
analyze and interpret data
use mathematical and computational thinking
construct explanations and design solutions
engage in argument from evidence
obtain, evaluate and communicate information

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National Standards

Science & Engineering (NGSS)

MS-PS2-2: Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object.
MS-ETS1-1: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution.
MS-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each.

Mathematics (CCSS)

6.SP.B.5.c: Summarize numerical data sets in relation to their context, such as by giving quantitative measures of center (median and/or mean).

Science and Engineering Practices:

ask questions and define problems
develop and use models
plan and carry out investigations
analyze and interpret data
use mathematical and computational thinking
construct explanations and design solutions
engage in argument from evidence
obtain, evaluate and communicate information

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Objectives:

I will write a hypothesis by using scientific research.

I will calculate and collect data for the speed of a RC car on three different surfaces.

I will create a slow racetrack by using my knowledge of friction.

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Agenda (1-5, 50 minute class periods)

Day 1- Question, Research, Hypothesis

Day 2- Data Collection for Speed

Day 3- Finish Data Collection/ Write Conclusion

Days 4 and 5- Create a Slow Racetrack by using Friction

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Warm-up

What do you notice?

What do you wonder?

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Driving Question

How do different surfaces affect the speed of a RC car?

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Friction is a force that resists the sliding or rolling of one surface over another.

What is friction?

Research

What can we research to help us write a better hypothesis? Let’s look back to the research question.

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Hypothesis

Driving Question: How do different surfaces affect the speed of a RC car?

*We will be testing different surfaces for the speed of the RC car and creating our own courses!

Let’s use our prior knowledge to help us write an if, then, because hypothesis. Remember this will help us to write the because portion of the hypothesis.

How can we start the hypothesis?

I usually have students first discuss the “if” portion of the hypothesis as a whole class. Then we discuss and write the hypothesis with our table groups (they can disagree with the people at their table respectfully because they are each writing their own individual hypothesis on their papers.) I walk around and check in with groups and students during this time, helping with spelling and the writing of the hypothesis as needed. Then I will call on volunteers to share their hypothesis with the whole class. I usually will look for 3-4 students who have different hypotheses as I’m walking around and ask them if they will share so I know I’m not going to have 3-4 of the same hypothesis.

Another option is to record class hypotheses on a large piece of paper per class period or on a Google Slide for the class period. Then you can revisit them as you continue to learn.

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Different Surfaces

Let’s brainstorm!

What different surfaces can we test the RC cars?

How long should the track be?

What other ideas do you have?

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Why is it important to find the mean of a set of data? Why can’t we just test each surface once?

How do we calculate the mean of a data set?

Let’s Collect Data!

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Choose a surface that you could test. Remember you will need to test the same distance each time to keep your data consistent and accurate. Set up the area and make a plan. Use meter sticks and cones to set up the exact distance.
Decide how far down you will press the trigger for each test.
Let Mrs. B. know you are ready to check out a RC car.
Complete the test as you had planned. Write down the reading on the recording sheet. Repeat two more times, turn back in the RC car, and calculate the average.
Record your qualitative observations on the recording sheet for that surface.

Let’s Collect Data!

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Photos of the Data Collection

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Friction is a force that resists the sliding or rolling of one surface over another.

The more friction you have, the more force you will need to make your remote control car go.

Now you will write your conclusion by using your own data.

Conclusion- Brainstorm

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Now that you have tested different surfaces to see how friction affects speed, here is your challenge:

Create a RC track that will slow the speed of the car. Your goal is to increase friction on your track.

Please keep track of the engineering process on your recording sheet.

Let’s use your data!

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Engineering Challenge: Let’s Design a SLOW Racetrack!

You will be working in a group for this engineering activity.
You can use any materials in the classroom to build. You can also bring materials from home.
Your goal is to use the data you collected about different surfaces and the speed of the RC car to create a racetrack that will slow down the RC car.

You will have a recording sheet to keep track of your brainstorm, builds, and redesigns. You will also write a final reflection on what you learned and the engineering design process.

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Assessment

As students work throughout the activities, the teacher should be monitoring their work and asking questions.

At the end of the first lab activity, I have students write a conclusion on their recording sheets by themselves about what their data shows and how it answers the driving question. The only part I grade is their conclusion. You could even use it for formative assessment before the next part of the lesson.

For the next part of the lesson, “Creating a RC Course Using Friction,” students will be graded on their engineering notes and their final reflection.

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Differentiation

During the writing activity I will adjust the requirements as needed for my individual learners. I also help with spelling as needed. I want to assess their scientific knowledge.
I create groups purposefully with strong readers and writers in each who can help.
If students have technology, put the recording sheet online so they can use accessibility features such as speech to text and text to speech.
I have calculators for students to use.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Depending on the supplies in your classroom, students could try different surfaces of their choice if they finish early to record other qualitative data pieces.

For those that are ready, students can cite evidence from their online research to support their ideas in their conclusion. It is a 6th grade standard. My students love to learn how to do this.