Inquiry Lesson

As students complete the challenge, they log their thoughts, data, graphs/charts, and conclusions in a copied and editable version of this digital slide presentation.

1. The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transferred.

2. Self-propelled cars are vehicles that power themselves without the help from a combustible motor.

3. A force on the JetToy results from a push or a pull.

4. The JetToy chassis consists of 4 wheels, 4 axles, and 2 bearings.

5. JetToys are designed from recycled materials.

1. The Engineering Design Process is a system of thinking to design a solution to a problem.

2. Self-propelled vehicles move because of a force, causing change in the vehicles motion.

3. Different variables cause a self-propelled vehicle to change speed or direction.

4. Scientific prototypes help engineers design and test before a product goes to market.

5. Scientists and engineers isolate their variables in order to create the best possible solution to their problem.

Once students design a working JetToy chassis (the base of their car) that travels straight and smooth, they choose a scientific variable to test. That variable is tested to see how it has a direct impact on the distance the JetToy travels. This is an investigable question because it, ¨leads to a plan of action or doing something that helps answer the question by working with materials,¨ (Topic C, 2020). Also, this question provides an overarching purpose behind how students approach the design of their JetToy moving forward. Students, in collaborative groups, have to decide themselves how to properly test their variable by controlling all other conditions except for the variable they are testing. Students will have to collect data as a group as they investigate what helps a JetToy travel the farthest distance. The evidence they have will support their analysis and overall conclusions to present to other members of the class.

This is a non-investigable question because it does not require any further research or, ¨hands-on action of students,¨ (Topic C, 2020). At the beginning of JetToy, students are given a letter from a fictitious toy company (EarthToy Designs, Inc.) that outlines for them why we are using recycled materials to design something that is self-propelling. Students are told in the letter that these JetToys have to be made using certain materials so that children all over the world can design their own. They also state that the company is very passionate about making necessary steps to care for our environment when designing their products.