Title:

The Science of Skis

Grade Level:

8

Subject:

Science

Author:

nbclearn

Time:

60 minutes

Lesson Plan Type:

Interactive Instruction

Keywords:

skis, olympics

Brief Description:

Students will conduct an experiment to test the elasticity and slipperiness of two kinds of ski materials. Students will also research the history of skis and create a PowerPoint presentation with information they have summarized.

  

California State Standards Addressed:

Science/8/Investigation and Experimentation)

Related Links:

Link 1:
Link 2:
Link 3:

Goal(s):

Students will conduct an experiment to test the elasticity and slipperiness of two kinds of ski materials. Students will also research the history of skis and create a PowerPoint presentation with information they have summarized.

Specific Objectives:

1. Ask scientific questions.
2. Conduct an experiment to explore the elasticity and slipperiness of skis.
3. Research the history of skis and present information in a PowerPoint presentation.

Required Materials:

• The NBC Learn Video: THE SCIENCE OF SKIS
• access to a computer that is connected to a LCD projector
• white board or screen to view the computer
• computers with access to the Internet
• a ski (or pictures of skis)

Anticipatory Set (Lead-in):

Ask students to raise their hand if they have ever skied before. Discuss their experiences. Ask students to raise their hand if they have ever seen a ski up close. If possible, bring in a real ski for students to examine. If this is not possible, show pictures of a variety of skis, and skiers on their skis. Ask students to try and guess what skis are made of? Tell students they are going to view a video that will give them a lot of answers to that question. View the NBC Learn Video: The Science of Skis

Lesson Plan Procedure:

See attached Student Activity Sheet for procedure.

Closure (Reflect Anticipatory Set):

Ask students why skiers would want skis to be elastic. What would happen if skis were not elastic? Discuss answers. Next, ask students why skiers would want their skis to be slippery? Discuss answers. Review with the class the process used to create skis that are both elastic and slippery. Tell students now that they have some understanding about what skis are like today, they are going to find out how what skis used to be like and how they have evolved over time.

Plan for Independent Practice:

Tell students that the ways that skis are made today are different than what they were when people first started skiing. Ask students to work in groups of four to research and create a PowerPoint presentation about the history of skis. Tell students to include what they consider to be the “milestones” in the history of making skis. They should be prepared to show their presentation as well as discuss with the class the most important information they discovered.

Assessment Based on Objectives:

1. Create a checklist to note the type of questions that students ask and to mark observations of their participation in the ski activity.
2. Create a rubric to assess the PowerPoint presentations. 

Possible Connections to Other Subjects:

Math/Social Studies/History: Ask students to make a time line that shows dates and brief information about the history of skis.

Art: Ask students to draw the type of skis they would like to have. What color would it be? What designs might be on it?

Adaptations and Extensions:

 

Additional Notes: