Last December, Teacher Marilyn Mielke’s second period physics class went on an exciting and educational field trip to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington.
Students earned the opportunity to participate in the trip after winning a competition in which they produced a video explaining the mechanics of car collisions and the role physics plays in the force of impact. The trip gave students a unique opportunity to see how science and physics are used in real life to keep people safe on the road. Instead of only learning in the classroom, students were able to explore a professional testing facility where car safety research takes place.
One of the most memorable parts of the day was testing the experiments the students had built in class. These experiments included an egg drop test and a crash cushion test. The goal was to design a structure that could protect an egg during a crash, like how a car protects passengers during an accident. Students used different materials and designs to absorb force and reduce impact. Watching their projects being tested helped students understand important physics concepts such as force, momentum and energy transfer.
The class also went on a guided tour of the IIHS facility. During the tour, students learned how real crash tests are conducted. They saw crash test vehicles, safety equipment and crash test dummies that engineers use to collect data. Students learned how cars are tested from different angles and speeds to see how well they protect drivers and passengers. Seeing real crash test footage helped students understand how dangerous car accidents can be and why car safety features are so important. This field trip was especially important because it taught students valuable lessons about driving safety. Students learned why wearing a seatbelt is always necessary, no matter how short the drive may be. They also learned how airbags, crumple zones and crash cushions help reduce injuries during accidents. The experience showed that safe driving decisions can save lives and prevent serious injuries.
The class had an amazing and fun experience at the IIHS. The trip helped students connect classroom learning to real world applications. Students not only learned about car physics and engineering, but they also gained a better understanding of responsibility and safety on the road.
