Introduction:    Due to the increase in tourism and flourishing industrial centers, Beverly Massachusetts has begun research into the development of a new mass transit system as a means of conserving energy and limiting pollution.  Beverly's city planner wants to develop transit from within Beverly, as well as have the means to quickly and easily bring tourists into the city from abroad.  Concerned citizens of Beverly have expressed the concern that any new mass transit system be the  least polluting forms of transportation available.

Task:    Your role is that of a consultant team to the city of Beverly from one of the six major industries that are involved with mass transit.  You will be giving a five minute presentation to the Beverly City Council (your science class) which your team will:

• Describe the technology and the role the technology plays in a mass transit system.
• Describe history and future of the industry.
• Describe the forces that are used to create motion.
• Describe fuels are used - what energy transfers are made in order to create motion.
• Describe the byproducts of the vehicle.
• Describe the role your industry will take in a society that is moving towards less polluting renewable sources of energy, yet requires fast rates of transportation for vast numbers of people

Automobile
 

History History How an Engine Works Parts of the internal combustion engine How the car engine works

Planes

 

Flight details Principals Of Flight Forces History Parts of the Plane

 
Fuel Cell Bus
 

Basic Designs of fuel cells for transportation Practical power Fuel Cells in Buses Fuel Cell Bus Stats and future Fuel Cell Buses in action History

Mag Lev Trains
 

Background Physics of Mag Lev Trains What is Mag Lev Mag Lev Technology Future of Mag Lev

Electric Cars
 

History Things to consider Components Hybrid Electric Usefulness Comparison to gas cars How electric motors work

Hovercraft Ferry
 

History/specifcations What is a hovercraft Typical Ferry How does it work How does it work

1. Each Member of the group should assume one of the following roles:

 

Head researcher	Must make sure that all materials gathered are trustworthy, and documented
Secretary	Must keep all materials in a organized fashion. Responsible for submitting a team portfolio containing all relevant material
Artist	The creative mastermind behind your teams poster board.
Leader	Must keep the team on task and moving in the correct direction.  Responsible for a five paragraph essay which summarizes the teams presentation

2. After your team has assumed roles, Mr. P will assign each group to a specific transit industry.
3. Each team member should take part in researching the topic over the internet.  The head researcher should:  rate each source based on the sources ability in completing the task, and  keep documentation from all sources in a chart.

 

URL

Topic of the site

rating (1 = poor)  (5 = excellent)

4. As the team finds research, the secretary should organize the materials into a neat at coherent portfolio which includes:  copies of all relevant materials, any notes taken, charts, and any outcomes.
5. When research is completed, all team members should brainstorm for materials that will be used during the presentation, that will aid in completing the task.  The team should then create an outline of the presentation.
6. Once the presentation has been outlined, the Leader should write a five paragraph essay which summarizes the presentation.
7. All team members will aid in the construction of the poster board; but the artist will design the poster board.  The design MUST describe the forces behind the motion of the vehicle, as well as the other aspects of your task.  The poster board should not just be paragraphs.  The design should show aspects of the vehicle and its motion that will be discussed in the presentation.

Conlusion: Upon the completion of this activity you will have a better view of the forces behind your mass transit vehicle's motion.  Furthermore, you should know how chemical reactions create forces capable of propeling objects, as well as how the biproducts of these reactions can be minimized or eliminated.