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Read through and discuss the important information on the
"Aerodynamics and Automobile Racing" under the
Teacher's Text of the
Sports section of K8AIT with the students.
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Read through and discuss the information that you gather on the
statistics of the Indianapolis 500 from 1960 to the present time. The
students will see the changes that have taken place under the new rulings
with the production of aerodynamic downforce.
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Have the students chart the findings of the statistics of the
Indianapolis 500 from 1960 until the present time. Have them list the
various methods that have been utilized to enhance the speed and quality
of racing in the first set of columns. In the following column sets have
the students list the speeds that have been attained using the various
methods. Finally, in the third section of columns have the students list
the regulations that have been enforced to keep the sport safe.
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Have the students include on the chart pictures of various race cars
that have been high performers over the years to enhance the presentation
of the chart. (Have the students use their imaginations in setting up
the charts to include little known facts in the race car world and how
the introduction of the aerodynamic downforce has changed the perceptions
of automobile racing).
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You can split the class into two sections. Have the first section do
charts on the facts of auto racing and the second section of students do
written reports on the information. Allow the students to choose which
section they want to be part of.
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Place the charts on a bulletin board and have the students who wrote
the reports read them to the rest of the class.
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As an added bonus: If you live in an area where they do have an
automobile race track take the students on a field trip to a race. It is
fascinating to see the dynamics of aerodynamics in motion!
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