6th - 8th Grade Module 3 Concept PT

Cycle 1

How can we as sports scientists maximize the effectiveness of an Olympian’s performance?
Cycle Summary

Prior to the performance task, students developed an understanding of forces, motion, energy, and collisions.
In the performance task, students will work as groups, pairs, or individuals to develop a prototype that a competitor will use or wear or a technique that a competitor can perform to improve the competitor’s athletic performance. Students will first analyze the success of an athlete that has used physics principles to improve his performance. They will then review their Olympic Training Portfolio to categorize the different parts of the sport by the different physics principles students learned about through the module. Students will then spend time developing their prototype or technique. They will develop a presentation geared toward a coach in the specific athletic event they are researching and receive peer and teacher feedback on their prototype or technique.

Session 1
Elicit

Students read an article about the physics behind a sports figure and answer questions about how changes in motion can improve the performance of an athlete.

Engage

Students read an article about the physics behind a sports figure and answer questions about how changes in motion can improve the performance of an athlete.

Explore

Students analyze their portfolio to pull out examples of physics principles in the event they are researching.

Session 2
Explain

Students research and develop a prototype or technique to pitch to coaches that would improve the performance of competitors in an event.

Session 3
Explain

Students research and develop a prototype or technique to pitch to coaches that would improve the performance of competitors in an event.

Session 4
Elaborate

Students receive feedback on the prototype or technique that they will pitch to coaches that would improve the performance of competitors in an event.

Session 5
Evaluate

Students present their prototype or technique to pitch to coaches that would improve the performance of competitors in an event.