Types of Materials

Each type of material or activity is also listed on the menu to the right.

• Content Modules are pen and paper or activity-based exercises designed to show students applications of standard concepts usually taught in physics, chemistry, physical science and/or engineering.
• Crew Chief Notes contain background information on the science behind racing. If you've forgotten what a 'g' is, or the relationship between torque and power, here's where to find that type of information.
• Race Gear are short write-ups on specific types of equipment that is used in racing, or that is used in the Building SPEED modules.
• Hero Cards feature some of the people involved in racing, with their educational and inspirational background to help students connect the dots between math and science and fascinating jobs in motorsports.
• Green Racing modules focus on innovations on the track that eventually will show up in passenger cars.
• Videos provide motivation as you enter a topic, illustration of important principles, or interesting information to answer that dreaded question, "Why do I need to learn this stuff?"
• Track Notes provide data about the tracks (metric and English units) that can be used in formulating problems and order-of-magnitude estimates.

Improving Content Knowledge

Building SPEED content reinforcement materials are indexed to the National Science and Math Education Standards. Each includes a Teacher's Guide. Initial materials focus on high-school math and physics/physical science; however, many of the materials will be useful for introductory college courses or advanced middle school courses.

Putting People in Math and Science

In addition to content materials, Building SPEED is developing mini-biographies of people working in motorsports-related industries that emphasize the range of jobs for which math and science are required skills.