Curricular Materials
Building SPEED materials provide real-life examples that illustrate the same principles covered by textbooks and mandated by national, state, and local standards. They do not introduce additional content: They give students an opportunity to apply their understanding of basic concepts to actual situations that require them to use problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Why Do I Have To Learn This?
Every teacher hears this question. Students often just don't see how what they are studying in math and science class relates to anything in the real world. Unless you're going to work in the factory that makes those frictionless inclined planes used in most physics books, where does the physics you learn in class get used? The answer is on the track, which is the same place you'll find algebra be invaluable.
Building SPEED provides teachers with the answer to this question by using motorsports to engage high-school math and physics/physical science students and show them that what they're learning is the same knowledge that top drivers and crew chiefs need to win races.
Building SPEED materials also provide teachers with formative assessment that helps them evaluate whether their students have learned the concepts and, if not, what elements need reinforcement or revisiting.
Building SPEED initially will focus on high-school math and physics/physical science standards; however, many of the materials are expected to be useful for introductory college courses or advanced middle school courses. Long-term plans are to expand the materials to the middle level curriculum.