All About Aerodynamics
All About Aerodynamics is a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) program that uses Hot Wheels cars to teach students about various physics-related concepts. Our program has both in-person and online presentation options. the content and duration of the program can range from 2 hours to 3 weeks, depending on the presentation option chosen by your student’s school or organization.
All About Science
Aerodynamics
Drag
Elastic Energy
Elasticity
Energy
Force
Friction
Kinetic Energy
Physics-related topics covered during the All About Aerodynamics program include:
Lift
Isaac Newton
Potential Energy
Pull & Push
Scale
Scientific Method
Transfer of Energy
3 Laws of Motion
An introduction for parents to All About Aerodynamics online.
Aerodynamics Online
We know that the distance learning experience for parents and students ranged from fantastic to frustrating and everything in-between. That’s why when we were developing the online version of All About Aerodynamics we spoke to parents, students, and teachers to get a better sense of what they liked and didn’t like about the online learning experience.
As a result, we were able to take the best parts of distance learning and incorporate them into our science-based program in a way that builds on the success of our in-person program that reached more than 500 students in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
All About Aerodynamics online program gives us a wider reach and the opportunity to deliver our science curriculum to even more students. While the core STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Math) ideas remain the same, online adaptation has led to several exciting changes in our presentation and implementation.
Our areas of focus:
Our online program consists of approximately 15 live, interactive, one-hour sessions covering most of the same topics as our in-person program, including:
Interactivity
Every All About Aerodynamics lesson is designed to engage students intellectually and visually through games, videos, quizzes, art, data entry, and most importantly, conversation. We don’t want students staring at a screen, we want them to interact with their classmates and teammates on this science journey.
Digital Citizenship
Presenting All About Aerodynamics online has given us the opportunity to introduce and discuss the idea of being a good “Digital Citizen.”
In the classroom we want students to exhibit good citizenship by following rules and treating others considerately. When attending a virtual classroom, we want to help students transfer these same habits to the distance learning environment by becoming good All About Aerodynamics Digital Citizens.
Scientific Method
Students will learn about and utilize the basic concepts of the Scientific Method: Ask a question; conduct research; make a hypothesis; experiment; analyze results; present a conclusion.
Data Tracking
Students will enter their car’s name, weight, year built, wins and losses, and speed into a database that will be used to track and assess the car’s overall performance and race results.
Analysis
Following the races, students will use the collected data and observations to analyze why they believe their car did or did not perform as expected and what they would change about their selection process if they had another opportunity to select a different car.
Graphic Design
Students will use basic graphic design principles to create a mini-poster highlighting their car’s statistics, pictures, and their pre and post-race analysis. The posters can be printed or shared online with family and friends.
Math & Measurements
Basic math and measurements come into play throughout the project. Students will analyze and compare the weights of the Hot Wheels cars and make educated guesses regarding how they believe a car’s weight will impact its performance. Students will use basic math to determine if a car weighs within 5 grams of another car that they plan to race. The Speedometer Station provides a digital readout of each car’s speed that students will use to determine how fast their car is. A bonus task will be dividing the 1:64 scale speed shown on the speedometer by 64 to determine the car’s actual speed.
What does my child need to participate online?
Aside from a desktop or laptop computer, tablet, or phone, and a high-speed internet connection, you just need two sheets of paper and crayons or markers to make signs we will use during the program. An active email account is also necessary.
