Driving SCIENCE STEM Activity 16Meeting Constraints

Passenger Cars Race Cars

Safety FeaturesWhat do you know about safety features in passenger cars and race cars?

SAFER DrivingTeenage Driving

Since 2001, there have been over 100,000 deaths of 16-24 year olds when young people are driving

Teens have the lowest rate of seatbelt use.

Teens underestimate dangerous situations.

Teens are more likely to follow a car too closely.

Racing

Since 2001, there have been zero deaths in NASCAR’s three National Series.

Fire-retardant clothing, including underwear and gloves (DuPont NOMEX).

Soft wall technology: SAFER Barrier.

Helmets required for over-the-wall pit crew.

HANS (head and neck support) device (DuPont’s Kevlar).

Safety Features

With your team, prepare an explanation of the science behind your assigned safety feature. Include at least one of Newton’s Laws of Motion in your explanation.

seatbeltsairbags

crumple zones

Materials for SAFER Egg Car2 sheets of paper, 4 wheels, 2 axles,

1 straw (axle housing), glue, egg

SAFER Egg DesignQuestion: Is it possible to build a car from paper and glue that is strong enough to protect a raw egg during a head-on collision?

Constraints1. Maximum car width: < 6.5 centimeters (including axles and wheels)2. Maximum car length: < 16.5 centimeters3. Minimum car mass without the egg: > 30 grams4. The entire body of the car must be made of paper and glue.5. Design must include 3 safety features of which one must be a seatbelt that can be unfastened.

Reflecting on Safety Features

What new information did you learn about car safety features?Will what you learned make a difference in your behaviors as a driver or passenger? Explain.

seatbelts airbagscrumple zones

Thanks to PDI2 partners who sponsored the development of this activity and provided professional development support:

American Honda Foundation

DuPontCU-ICAR

Safety-Kleen, EcoPowerFluor

United States Conference of Mayors

Thanks to race track partners who provided support for teachers:Darlington Raceway, Daytona International Speedway, Dover International Speedway,

Martinsville Speedway, and Richmond International Raceway

Copyright © 2015 Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina (SC).