8thGrade
Investigation 3
Comparing Speeds
Goal:
In investigation 3 students will learn how to analyze and represent speed to solve problems.
Part 1 Walk/Run Races:
Students time a walker, runner, skipper, and backward walker over a known distance to determine their average speeds. Students will make, and use speed graphs to design a race so the walker, runner, etc. finish at the the same time. Students will then move to computers for practice in using speed graphs to engineer races in which two competitors, that run at different speeds, finish in a tie - "a photo finish".
Part 2 Boat Races:
Four boats travel different distances in different time intervals. Students use calculations and graphing, four graphs on one grid, to compare the four boats by speed. Students will then solve other interesting problems involving objects moving at different speeds.
Part 3 Iditarod:
Students study a simplified record of the 1986 Iditarod dog-sled race to determine average speeds for the winning team. The experience is enriched with a video.
Sled Dogs:An Alaskan Epic is a documentary following actual participants in the Iditarod Race.
