An Exploration of Automotive Design
By Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, August 24, 2006
Grade Level
- High School
Category
- Product Design
Subject Area
- Arts
- Language Arts
- Technology
Lesson Time
Introduction
National Standards
Common Core State Standards:
Anchors for Reading
Key Ideas and Details:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1 Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.2 Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3 Analyze how and why individuals, events, or ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.
Craft and Structure:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.4 Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.5 Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.6 Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.7 Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.9 Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.10 Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.
Anchor Standards for Writing
Text Types and Purposes:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.1 Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details and well-structured event sequences.
Production and Distribution of Writing:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Range of Writing:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Anchor standards for Speaking and Listening
Comprehension and Collaboration:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1 Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.2 Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.3 Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.
Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4 Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.5 Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
Anchor standards for Language:
Conventions of Standard English:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Knowledge of Language:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.3 Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.6 Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or expression.
Objectives
- conduct Internet research
- respond to writing prompts
- analyze, evaluate and synthesize information from multiple sources
- participate in class discussion
- create a design for a car exterior
- evaluate group work
- create a presentation
Resources
- "My Car, My Way" and 'Rubric Guidelines' handout links are located in the 'Introduction' at the top of this page.
Materials
- computer with Internet access
Procedures
Building Background Engineers vs. Stylists
The purpose of this activity is to provide students with an opportunity to explore the tension between function and aesthetics. 1. Read the following quotation from "Tough Guys and Pretty Boys: The Cultural Antagonisms of Engineering and Aesthetics in Automotive History" aloud to your class: "Throughout the history of twentieth-century America, there has been an ongoing conflict between the car as an efficient tool and the car as a carrier of cultural dreams and values." Source: https://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Design/Gartman/D_Casestudy/D_Casestudy1.htm 2. As a class, read the following article https://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Design/Gartman/D_Casestudy/D_Casestudy1.htm that describes the conflict between those who think that cars should serve a functional purpose and those who think cars should serve an aesthetic purpose. 3. Ask each student to respond in writing to the following prompts: What do you think a car represents to most people? Do you think car designers should focus on being efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly or do you think car designers should focus on creating a symbol of power, individuality, and freedom? Why? Are there car designs that combine both purposes? 4. Visit the following websites that advertise cars. Ask the students what aspect of a car's function they think each website emphasizes.- https://www.bmwusa.com/
- https://www.subaru.com/shop/overview.jsp?model=IMPREZA&trim=WRX_SEDAN
- https://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/mustang/
- https://direct.automobiles.honda.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Odyssey
Steps for Learning Collaborative Inquiry
The purpose of this activity is to allow students to explore a collection of innovative new designs in concept cars. 1. Divide the class into small groups, and tell them to browse the following websites that contain a wide variety of car designs and processes:- https://www.conceptcar.co.uk/concept-cars/default.php
- https://www.cardesignonline.com/technology/bmw-h2r/index.php
- https://www.cardesignonline.com/design/modelling/index.php
- https://www.cardesignonline.com/design/sketching/index.php
- https://www.cardesignonline.com/design/aerodynamics/index.php
- https://www.cardesignonline.com/design/ergonomics/index.php
- https://www.cardesignonline.com/design/case-studies/volvo-concept-center/volvo-tandem.php
- https://www.cardesignonline.com/design/modelling/cad/art-vps-render/index.php
- What surprised you the most?
- List five new things you learned.
- What designs were your favorites?
- Why are new cars designed?
- What was the most innovative design?
- What did you learn about the design process?
- As you browsed through this information, what did you encounter that you would like to learn more about?
Assessment
- How effective was your brainstorming in generating ideas?
- Rate how effectively you analyzed the information you used to identify your problem.
- Rate the effectiveness of your solution.
- Rate how clearly you communicated the problem you wanted to solve.
- Rate how clearly you communicated your solution.
- Rate your effectiveness as problem solvers.
- Rate your creativity.
Enrichment Extension Activities
- Aerodynamics
- Ergonomics
- Modeling
- Sketching
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