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Description
Transportation is a leading contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change. Even though there has been progress with more fuel efficient and electric vehicles, the world is still far from eliminating large numbers of gasoline burning cars from the road. This STEM activity involves students in designing, building and testing a prototype of an environmentally friendly vehicle that may include alternate fuel sources, recycled materials and innovative products like vegan leather. Earth's future depends on minimizing the environmental impacts of the vehicles we will always need and this learning experience supports the creative problem-solving that could lead to the next great innovation in automobile design.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This STEM activity explores Grade 6-9 Science topics related to the use of non-renewable natural resources and the associated impacts on climate change. Students also examine technological innovation in the use of electricty and principles of how electrical energy is converted into other power sources. Pupils use problem-solving, critical thinking and creative skills as they complete this model based reasoning activity which also supports Technological Education outcomes related to technical drawing, building prototypes and developing mechanical concepts.
After completing this design challenge a class could promote sustainable vehicles by organizing a car race event featuring their models. Local automobile dealers might also be included by bringing some electric vehicles to show students.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Matter and Energy: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Mechanical Systems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Electrical Principles and Technologies
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Electrical Principles and Technologies (Science and Technology Emphasis)
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Energy
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Exploration of Sustainable Energy: Awareness of Sustainability
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Technology: Exploration/Design & Experimentation/Application: Design Thinking Skills
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Exploration/Design & Experimentation/Application: Design Thinking Skills
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Exploration/Design & Experimentation/Application: Design Thinking Skills
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Energy and Power Technology: Design Activity
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Technology Education 7: Energy Engineering
- Technology Education 7: Fundamentals of Technology Education
- Technology Education 7: Innovations and Inventions
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 8: Climate Change
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Technology Education 8: Energy Engineering
- Technology Education 8: Innovations and Inventions
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Technology Education 9: Energy Engineering
- Technology Education 9:Innovation and Inventions
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Mechanical Systems
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Electrical Principles and Technologies
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Electrical Principles and Technologies (Science and Technology Emphasis)
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Matter and Energy: Electrical Phenomena, Energy, and Devices
- STEM Skills and Connections
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- STEM Skills and Connections
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- STEM Skills and Connections
- Structures and Mechanisms: Systems in Action
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Physics Principles and Applications of Electricity
- STEM Skills, Careers, and Connections
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Technology and the Skilled Trades: Technological Development, Impacts, and Careers
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Intermediate Industrial Technology Education: Technological Problem Solving
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Intermediate Industrial Technology Education: Technological Problem Solving
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 9: Decisions and Perspectives
- Science 9: Procedural Knowledge
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Material World
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Technological World
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Technological World
- Grade 9
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Applied Science & Technology: The Technological World
- Science and Technology: The Technological World
- Saskatchewan
Themes Addressed
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)
- Climate Change
Land Use & Natural Resources (1)
- Transportation
Science and Technology (1)
- Alternative Ways of Doing Science
