In 2016, one in every four fatal car crashes listed speeding as a contributing factor. Pupils view videos of a car trying to come to a quick stop from four different rates of speed. They use context clues to measure and determine the distance each trial takes to completely stop. 

Concepts

distance, velocity, math modeling, functions, quadratic functions

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Additional Tags

math

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Instructional Ideas

• Discuss how people set school zone speed limits and why they vary by state
• Extend the concept by considering the mass of a small car versus a semi trying to stop from the same speed

Classroom Considerations

• Relies on prior knowledge of setting up and solving equations

Pros

• Excellent lesson for new drivers
• Connects math and science

Cons

• None

Common Core

HSF-IF.B.4 HSF-IF.C.7.a HSF-BF.A.1.a