How to Use this Guide
The lessons in this guide introduce students to the physics of car crashes with high-interest, grade-level appropriate
activities designed to meet national science standards. Students will learn why a crash is a potentially devastating
event and gain new perspective on the importance of restraint use and vehicle size.Teacher lesson plans and
accompanying blackline masters for student activity sheets are provided.The lessons are intended to supplement
a high school physical science curriculum with hands-on activities that demonstrate the basic physics principles
of motion and relate them to car crashes.
Using the Video Worksheet
The video worksheet serves as an advanced organizer of the content provided in the video. Students complete
the low-order questions as they watch the video.Teachers may find it beneficial to stop the video periodically for
students to collaborate on the answers. Once completed, a worksheet may be used as a study guide and review
sheet for the key concepts introduced in the video.
Using the Post-Video “Crash” Questions
The post-video “crash” questions are higher-order questions intended to stimulate discussion among students.
Individual questions may be assigned to small groups for discussion, with each group responsible for presenting
answers to the class for discussion.
Using the Lesson Plans
Four teacher lesson plans and accompanying blackline masters for student activity sheets are provided.
The lessons are intended to supplement a high school physical science curriculum with hands-on activities
that demonstrate the basic physics principles of motion and relate them to car crashes.
Lesson Format
Each lesson is organized using the same standard format and includes the following components:
Key question: states the primary focus of the activity in the form of a question that is relevant to the
students’ experiences. Key question may be used to initiate or conclude the activity.
Grade level: suggests appropriate grade levels.
Time required to complete lesson: estimates the range of time needed to complete the main procedure of
the lesson with a class of 28–32 students. Additional time is necessary to complete Going Further activities.
National science education standards: activities correlated to content standards, grades 9–12, of the
National Science Education Standards, National Academy of Sciences,Washington D.C., 1996.
Behavioral objectives: identifies desired student outcomes in the form of observable behaviors.
Background information: contains relevant background information on the science concepts explored in the
activity. Key concepts and vocabulary are in boldface type.
Crash course definitions: lists and defines key science vocabulary used in the lesson.
Materials: lists all supplies needed for students working in small groups to complete the activity.
Getting ready: describes steps the teacher should take to prepare for the activity.
Procedure: includes step-by-step instructions for completing the lesson.The procedure follows the three-stage
learning cycle of exploration, concept development, and application. Answers to student activity sheet
questions are provided.
Extension(s): suggests extension activities that continue to make the science concepts relevant to students
and introduces related concepts.
Using the website
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s website (www.highwaysafety.org) is easy to use and can provide
students and teachers with a wide variety of information on the factors involved in motor vehicle crashes and
how to reduce injuries.