Car Crashes

What if you could challenge your 12th graders to understand car crashes in the context of physical forces, manufacturing challenges, government safety standards, and individual rights? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can!Car Crashes outlines a journey that will steer your students toward authentic problem solving while grounding them in integrated STEM disciplines. As are the other volumes in the series, this book is designed to meet the growing need to infuse real-world learning into K–12 classrooms.The book is an interdisciplinary, four-lesson module that uses project- and problem-based learning. Timely and informative for students just starting to drive, the lessons draw on physics, mathematics, engineering, social studies, and English language arts. The lessons will help your students do the following:Explore the role of forces, speed, velocity, momentum, and impact in auto safety.Reverse-engineer car crash scenarios and pinpoint why accidents happen in the first place.Present models of car crash scenarios and act as expert witnesses in simulated courtrooms.Research and evaluate government regulations regarding seat belts and airbags.Discover the many aspects of the car-safety industry—from crash tests conducted by car manufacturers to the analysis police do at crash sites to the conflicts that can arise between government safety rules and individual rights.The STEM Road Map Curriculum Series is anchored in the Next Generation Science Standards, the Common Core State Standards, and the Framework for 21st Century Learning. In-depth and flexible, Improving Bridge Design can be used as a whole unit or in part to meet the needs of districts, schools, and teachers who are charting a course toward an integrated STEM approach.

Dr. Carla C. Johnson is the associate dean for research, engagement, and global partnerships and a professor of science education at Purdue University's College of Education in West Lafayette, Indiana. Dr. Johnson serves as the director of research and evaluation for the Department of Defense- funded Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP), a global portfolio of STEM education programs, competitions, and apprenticeships. She has been a leader in STEM education for the past decade, serving as the director of STEM Centers, editor of the School Science and Mathematics journal, and lead researcher for the evaluation of Tennessee's Race to the Top- funded STEM portfolio. Dr. Johnson has published over 100 articles, books, book chapters, and curriculum books focused on STEM education. She is a former science and social studies teacher and was the recipient of the 2013 Outstanding Science Teacher Educator of the Year award from the Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE), the 2012 Award for Excellence in Integrating Science and Mathematics from the School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA), the 2014 award for best paper on Implications of Research for Educational Practice from ASTE, and the 2006 Outstanding Early Career Scholar Award from SSMA. Her research focuses on STEM education policy implementation, effective science teaching, and integrated STEM approaches.