| Here at Fermilab, acceleration is a very important concept that is used repeatedly in the experiments that the physicists perform. This activity, Race For Energy, introduces the student to the concept of acceleration by allowing them to roll a virtual ball down an inclined ramp to see it accelerate. There are velocity readouts that display the velocity at 4 equidistant points along the ramp, and an energy meter that displays the energy of the ball. As is necessary for any scientific experiment, there is also a control, which is the ball that rolls on the horizontal ramp. With this very simple procedure, the student can recognize that acceleration is a change in velocity. They can also see the data from the velocity readouts in a very easy-to-understand graph format, or in the form of a table, which will allow them to compare the data from different trials. There is also a simple multiple-choice question that directly checks their understanding of acceleration. Once they reach the certificate page, which they can print out and keep, there is an explanation of acceleration that will answer any remaining questions they have. |
|
ScoringStudents play for Einstein bucks and receive a certificate indicating their score for the teacher. For each trial that the student runs, they earn 50 Einstein bucks. (In the activity they are referred to simply as "points" since the student has not been introduced to the concept of the Einstein buck) If they correctly answer the multiple-choice question, they earn 100 more bucks, and if they fill out the free-response section, they earn an additional 500 Einstein bucks. If the student runs the maximum number of trials, 10, correctly answers the multiple choice question, and fills out the free-response section, he can earn 1100 points. Doubling Your BucksOnce they complete the activity, the student is given the opportunity to double his score. If he chooses to do so, he is given a question that relates the activity to Fermilab. If the question is correctly answered, then the student's Einstein bucks are doubled. If the answer is incorrect, there is no penalty, but there is a note on the certificate stating that the student did not double his bucks. After doubling the score, the maximum is 2200 points. Printing Your Bucks and CertificateTwo windows are open when students go to print their bucks:
To print the Certificate and Einstein bucks, they need to select the window with the Certificate and select Print under the File menu of their browser. They should cut off the Einstein bucks and give the teacher the certificate so she can record their progress. |
Please email the program contact with your comments on the site.