Unit Plan

Teach Engineering: Hybrid Vehicle Design Challenge

Curated by ACT

This module is written for a first-year algebra-based physics class, though it could easily be modified for conceptual physics. It is intended to provide hands-on activities to teach the overarching concept of energy, as it relates to both kinetic and potential energy. Within these topics, students are exposed to gravitational potential, spring potential, the Carnot engine, temperature scales, and simple magnets. During the module, students utilize these scientific concepts to solve the following problem: "The rising price of gasoline has many effects on the US economy and the environment. You have been contracted as by an engineering firm to help with the design of a physical energy storage system to be used on a new hybrid vehicle for Nissan. How would you go about solving this problem? What information would you consider to be important to know? You will make a sales pitch to Nissan with a small prototype with your idea at the end of the unit." This module is built around the Legacy Cycle, a format that incorporates findings from educational research on how people best learn.

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NGSS