Helmet Challenge: Riding the Concrete Wave (Part I)

This resource, published by Georgia Tech Research Institute, features a mathematics data visualization activity designed for eighth graders. In this activity, students use a computer simulation to collect data on helmet safety in order to act as crash-test scientists make a recommendations on skateboarding safety. Students visualize data related to the relationship between speed and kinetic energy in tables, scatter plots and bar graphs. "The module covers some basic concepts regarding energy, energy transfer, linear and non-linear graphs and brain injuries in sports." It meets the following learning standard:

• Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the law of conservation of energy to develop arguments that energy can transform from one form to another within a system.

The activity is divided into four sections that last five class periods. The prep guide includes materials needed, planning, key questions and concepts, and grading opportunities for each section of the activity. The resource includes the following:

• A 20-page curriculum booklet with an annotated teacher's version
• A 6-page teacher's prep guide
• Materials list
• Answer keys for different sections of the activity
• A 7-page student worksheet packet
• Summary page for linear and non-linear Relationships
• Five videos providing context around skateboarding, helmets, and energy transfer