Time for Squat Jumps

• This lesson explores potential energy. The equation for potential energy is E_p=mgh. The value of "g" is known, and "m" can be found or approximated. The unknown variable in this lesson is the height of a jump, which your students will measure. They'll start by using the Distance Sensor pointing downward to measure their maximum distance from the ground as they jump (make sure they're on a flat surface). Later on, they'll explore other methods using the Hub's Acceleration Sensor.

Ignite a Discussion

Start a discussion by asking questions related to the lesson. Here are a few suggestions:

• What's potential energy?
• How high can you jump?
• How much (potential) energy is that?

Have your students write down their thoughts as a hypothesis.

• Have your students build a kettlebell that can record jump-related data. They can create their own models, or follow the building instructions in the app to build the Kettlebell model.
• Ask your students to try out their models using the suggested program.
• Ensure that they jump in a very controlled way, pointing the kettlebell straight toward a smooth surface (avoid rugs or carpets).

• Allow your students some time to adjust their programs to improve performance.
• Encourage them to record as much data as possible during their experiments.
• Have them export their data as a CSV file, they can manipulate it in other software if they wish.

• If your students still have access to their SPIKE Prime Sets, have them complete the tasks from the SPIKE App, to elaborate with hands-on learning, for example
  • Ask them to jump with more mass (e.g., by wearing a backpack), then describe their potential energy when jumping with a backpack compared to without.
• If your students don't have access to their sets, have them complete their Student Inventor Notebook, or assign one of the extension activities suggested below. Most of the extension activities can be done using the data collected during the hands-on session
• Facilitate a sharing session in which your students exchange information. This can be done using whichever method/tool is most efficient (i.e., in-person or online).

• Give feedback on each student's performance.
• You can use the assessment rubrics provided to simplify the process.

Teacher Observation Checklist
Establish a scale that meets your needs, for example:

• Partially accomplished
• Fully accomplished
• Overachieved

Use the following success criteria to evaluate your students' progress:

• The students can program a device to log data on a line graph..
• The students can interpret the values coming from the line graph.
• The students can explain potential energy in their own words, drawing accurate connections to mass and height.

Self-Assessment
Have each student choose the brick that they feel best represents their performance.

• Blue: I can graph data using the program provided in the app.
• Yellow: I can create my own line graph and explain my results.
• Violet: I've created new experiments on my own.

Peer-Assessment

Encourage your students to provide feedback to others by:

• Having one student score the performance of another using the colored brick scale above.
• Asking them to present constructive feedback to each other so that they can improve their performance during the next lesson. This is a great opportunity to use videoconferencing tools or blog posting tools in a blended learning scenario.

Simplify this lesson by:

• Asking your students to recreate the experiment using only the Hub (and maybe the Distance Sensor)
• Making sure that your students adjust the suggested program in the SPIKE app to match their model configuration.
  • The data should be relevant for logging acceleration values as long as the Hub is held perpendicular to the ground

Take this lesson to the next level by:

• Asking your students to find other ways to determine the height of a jump:
  • Using the Hub's Acceleration Sensor
  • Using a video of your jump(s)
  • Using only time

Building Tips

Coding Tips

This lesson is designed to be played while the hub is connected through USB or Bluetooth. While connected, the data collected by the Hub is streamed directly to your device and traced in real-time on the Line Graph.

Main Program

Solution Program

Science Data Tips
Here is an example of the data students can expect from this experiment.

Math Extension

To incorporate the development of math skills:

• Instead of logging the distance between the bottom of the kettlebell and the ground directly with the distance sensor, ask your students to use acceleration values to find the height of the jump.
• Have your students use each of these methods (from measuring the distance and from calculating it from acceleration values) to find the potential energy, then describe which method they thought was the hardest or the most efficient, and why.

Note: This will require additional time.

Language Arts Extension

To incorporate the development of language arts skills:

• Ask your students to write a paper explaining what happens when someone jumps. Have them research muscular strength and biomechanics, then compare human jump performance to that of several animals.
• Have your students investigate a robot prototype that can jump, then write a paper describing how its engineers have tried to replicate muscular impulse.

Note: This will require additional time.

Career Links

Students who've enjoyed this lesson might be interested in exploring these career pathways:

• Therapeutic Services
• Engineering & Technology