Physics of the Universe · Week 5 · Forces and Motion
Seatbelts and Choices
Arguing from crash data about safety features and examining how peer pressure affects risky choices.
- Students will
- Students argue from data that seatbelts reduce injury forces and examine how peer pressure affects risky choices.
- SEL skill
- Weigh crash data against what friends say or do before choosing
- What it looks like
- Students practice decision-making by weighing evidence against what friends say or do.
- Content focus
- Seatbelts and choices: arguing from crash data
- Format
- Small group problem-solving
Responsible decision-making
Responsible decision-making is weighing safety, fairness, and likely consequences before choosing what to do. More responsible decision-making activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- HS-PS2-3: High School Physical Science performance expectation
- Science and engineering practice: SEP7 Engaging in argument from evidence
- Crosscutting concept: CCC2 Cause and effect
- Literacy in science: RST.11-12.8 Evaluate the hypotheses, data, analysis, and conclusions in a science text.
- Traditional course: Physics
Fits these textbook chapters
- Physics Techbook, Concept 1.2: Newton's Laws
- Physics Techbook, Concept 1.5: Conservation of Momentum
- Inspire Physics, Unit 3: Momentum and its Conservation
- California HMH Science Dimensions: Physics in the Universe, Unit 2: Momentum and Collisions
Textbook names are used only to help you find activities that fit what you teach. RoseThread Connect is not affiliated with these publishers.
More responsible decision-making activities for Physics of the Universe
- Materials by Design Responsible decision-makingEvaluating claims about engineered materials and practicing honest reporting of a source's limits.
- Solar in the Desert Responsible decision-makingEvaluating cost and benefit evidence for desert solar farms and weighing habitat loss against clean energy.
- Dating the Earth Responsible decision-makingAnalyzing half life data to date rocks and meteorites while checking our reasoning for bias.
- Digital Signals Responsible decision-makingArguing the advantages of digital information and discussing honesty when sharing images and messages online.
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RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.