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Fast car

Learning objectives

Students will
• interpret graphs and use them to compare cars
• distinguish between statements that are backed up with evidence and those that are purely opinion.

Try the activity

• Fast cars teachers notes
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• Fast car activity
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Curriculum link

14-16 How Science Works: data, evidence, theories and explanations
Communication skills
3c Present information, develop an argument and draw a conclusion, using scientific, technical and mathematical language, conventions and symbols and ICT tools.

See downloadable teachers notes for details of individual GCSE specifications.

Running the activity

Display page 1, which includes images of a new fast car and descriptions that might come from an enthusiastic reviewer on a TV programme like Top Gear. What makes a car desirable?

Page 2 contains definitions of some of the terms used. Explain that they will be using these shortly to make their own car reviews and that you will return to this screen later when they are doing that.

With page 3 on the screen, as a class or group activity, students match graphs to cars.
There are three pairs of graphs: speed against time (for the car accelerating flat-out); power against engine speed (in revs - revolutions per minute); torque against engine speed. Students decide which car (sporty or ordinary diesel) goes with each graph.

Pages 4-9 are large versions of the graphs, one set for each group. Groups use the graphs to discuss ideas to go into a script for a "Top Gear" presenter to review each of the cars. This could be a structured group activity: students take it in turns to make a descriptive or hyped up statement about one or both cars. e.g. The diesel car is really powerful at low engine speed OR This is a car that will turn a few heads. After each statement the other members of the group say if they think the graphs or common sense agree with the statement. Encourage the students to distinguish between statements that are backed up with evidence and those that are purely opinion.

Students could be guided to marking brake horsepower : 100bhp, 200bhp etc on their graphs at about 75kW, 150kW etc.

Page 10 is a writing frame for students write their own Top Gear type review about one or both of the cars. Within the group they take it in turns to present their scripts.

As a plenary invite two or three students to act out their script as a Top Gear presenter. Invite others to comment on whether the presentation was consistent with the evidence in the graphs.

Extension – ask students to research and compare the environmental impact of the two cars.

Web links

News links

Autoblog

The new BMW reviewed in detail

What car?

Reviews, data and video clips on lots of makes and models

Wikipedia

Horsepower (746W) and brake horsepower

Top Gear

car road tests

Reviews & Comments

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