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All grades  Project 1 week

Vector Quest: Physics in Motion!

Shannon M
CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.A.3
CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.A.1
CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.A.3
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
+ 1 more
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Purpose

Students will engage in a project-based learning experience that explores the role of vectors in sports physics, applying their understanding to real-world scenarios. By collaborating with the high school soccer and tennis teams, students will analyze and resolve vector components to enhance athletic performance, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This project encourages students to reflect on their learning, share insights with peers, and present findings to the PE classes, promoting a sense of community and belonging.

Learning goals

Students will understand vector components and their applications in physics, particularly in sports. They will learn to resolve vector components and analyze vector quantities like velocity and acceleration. Through hands-on activities with soccer and tennis, students will explore how vectors influence athletic performance and motion. They will develop critical thinking skills by presenting their findings to sports teams and PE classes, fostering self-directed learning and academic mindset.
Standards
  • [Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.A.3 - (+) Solve problems involving velocity and other quantities that can be represented by vectors.
  • [Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.A.1 - (+) Recognize vector quantities as having both magnitude and direction. Represent vector quantities by directed line segments, and use appropriate symbols for vectors and their magnitudes (e.g., v, |v|, ||v||, v).
  • [Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-VM.A.3 - (+) Solve problems involving velocity and other quantities that can be represented by vectors.
Competencies
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Throughout the learning experience, students will create vector analysis reports that detail the motion components observed in soccer and tennis, using real data collected from the high school teams. By the end of the project, students will develop presentations that showcase their findings and suggest strategies for enhancing athletic performance through vector principles. These presentations will be shared with the sports teams and PE classes, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Launch

To launch the project, students will engage in a dynamic activity where they play soccer and tennis, focusing on the motion and strategies involved in these sports. This hands-on experience will serve as a practical introduction to vector analysis, allowing students to observe and discuss the components of motion, such as speed, velocity, and acceleration, in real-time. By actively participating in these sports, students will begin to explore the essential question of how vectors influence athletic performance, setting the stage for deeper investigation and reflection throughout the project.

Exhibition

Students will present their findings on vector analysis in sports to the physical education classes, showcasing how understanding motion can enhance athletic performance. They will create engaging demonstrations using soccer and tennis as practical examples, illustrating concepts such as velocity and acceleration. This exhibition will include interactive sessions where PE students can experience firsthand the impact of vectors on sports techniques, fostering a collaborative learning environment.