Vehicle safety features - On track learning

Students will explore the history of vehicle safety features.

In this lesson, students will learn about car safety features and apply some of their new knowledge as they continue with their car designs.

Learning outcomes

Students will:

Learn about the history of car and road safety features
Discover that many car safety devices are designed to withstand one severe accident
Gain experience and comfort in public speaking
Work together as a team on their car designs

one class period

Materials for the construction of the car and the egg safety device should be available. These lists are repeated from the first lesson in this unit.

For the egg safety device:

Group three expert interview: Safety features: Document by the author; Open as PDF (14 KB, 2 pages; also available as Microsoft Word document)

Quiz: Safety harnesses: Document by the author; Open as PDF (12 KB, 1 page; also available as Microsoft Word document)

As a class, develop a list of five different situations where students have seen some sort of safety harness.
Describe the seat and restraint system on car seats for infants, toddlers, and race car drivers.
Group Three will present the Safety Features expert interview.
Discuss the information presented in the expert interview. Ask students to share their experiences with car accidents and what they noticed about the safety mechanisms. Preface this request with an acknowledgment that car accidents can be very traumatic and students only need to share if they feel comfortable. Again this is one of those discussions where students will likely have a lot to say. Make sure to keep the discussion focused and brief but be sure to answer any questions or elaborate on concepts that are unclear.
Students should spend the remainder of the class working on their car and egg safety device designs and construction. Circulate to ensure groups are on task and making progress.
During the last five to ten minutes of class, have students complete the Safety Harnesses quiz.

Students will take a very short quiz at the end of class. Check answers for understanding. Possible answers to the questions are listed below.

There are safety harnesses in race cars and regular family cars. What are some differences you would expect in the safety harnesses in these two types of vehicles?
Possible answers: The race car needs harnesses that will protect the driver at much higher speeds which means the materials to make the harness and its buckle will be different. The fit of the harness system and how it is attached to the car will also be different.
Following a race where an accident has occurred, the seat belt system is totally replaced. Why do you think there is a need to do that?
Possible answers: Seat belts stretch during an accident. Its attachment points to the car may be weakened or broken. The buckle may have been compromised so it won’t work as effectively in another accident.

Goal 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
- Objective 1.01: Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
- Objective 1.07: Prepare models and/or computer simulations to:
  - Test hypotheses.
  - Evaluate how data fit.
- Objective 1.10: Analyze and evaluate information from a scientifically literate viewpoint by reading, hearing, and/or viewing:
  - Scientific text.
  - Articles.
  - Events in the popular press.
Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.
- Objective 2.02: Use information systems to:
  - Identify scientific needs, human needs, or problems that are subject to technological solution.
  - Locate resources to obtain and test ideas.
- Objective 2.03: Evaluate technological designs for:
  - Application of scientific principles.
  - Risks and benefits.
  - Constraints of design.
  - Consistent testing protocols.