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Force, Motion, Friction and Energy

To prepare for the jobs of tomorrow, students must learn STEM concepts and engage in practical experiences that demonstrate how these concepts apply in the real world. With this in mind, Baylor College of Medicine and Hess Corporation have teamed to offer a unique resource for teaching STEM content to young students. The 2016 Hess Toy Truck and Dragster, used in combination with the free curricular guide, Force, Motion, Friction and Energy, provide a powerful STEM learning experience that is stimulating, enriching and just plain fun! Fill out the short form at the bottom of this page to download your free teacher’s guide and classroom slide set.

While designed for middle school students (grades 4–6), each activity in the guide can be adapted easily for higher or lower grades. The lessons may be used sequentially or separately, and/or inserted into an existing curriculum.

The following STEM activities are available.

1. Investigating Friction — How do different road surfaces affect the distance traveled by the Hess Toy Truck?

2. Determining Average Speed — What is the dragster’s average speed over a measured course?

3. Drag Racing and the Center of Mass — Which dragster/driver is fastest, and why?

4. Built to Scale — What is the scale of the truck and dragster in the 2016 Hess Toy Truck set?

5. Truck Pull — What is the relationship between the weight of the truck’s load and the distance it can be towed?

6. On the Level, Going Up, Going Down — Which road surface (level, uphill, downhill) provides the greatest fuel efficiency for a truck transporting the dragster?

7. Break the "World Record" Car Jump — How far can the 2016 Hess Toy Dragster jump?

Force, Motion, Friction and Energy: STEM Activities for Use with the 2016 Hess Toy Truck and Dragster was developed in a partnership between Baylor College of Medicine and the Hess Corporation.

Download: Force, Motion, Friction and Energy Download: Force, Motion, Friction and Energy Classroom Slides