THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE

CHALLENGE
Where and when will the hare catch up to the tortoise?
The hare starts running when the tortoise is _____________ ahead.

To collect data, you may use motion detectors, meter sticks, tape
measures, and stopwatches. Since there are a variety of possible lab
designs, you may not need all of the equipment.

You may only gather data using one “animal” at a time.

You may have both animals when you are ready to test.

II. DESIGN
___ What do you need to know so you can answer the challenge?
___ Describe your experimental design with both a labeled diagram
and a verbal description.

III. DATA
___ Perform the experiment and record your data appropriately.

IV. ANALYSIS
___ Ask your teacher for the initial separation between your tortoise
and your hare.
___ Using your data about the tortoise and the hare, solve the
challenge. Part of your solution must involve a clearly labeled
sketch of a position vs. time graph illustrating the scenario
presented in the challenge. Clearly and neatly show all your work
to determine your answer to the challenge. Divide the page with
a thin vertical line slightly right of center [ 60% | 40% ]

SOLUTION COMMENTARY

Your math work goes here Your explanation of

what you are doing AND
WHY goes here.

V. CONCLUSION
___ Ask your teacher to test your prediction. Were you correct? Why
or why not?

You will be assessed using the rubric on the back of this page.
 THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE RUBRIC

LEARNING GOALS 0 - MISSING 1 - BEGINNING 2 - DEVELOPING 3- PROFICIENT

SR.2 – I can design a The experiment does not The experiment attempts to The experiment attempts to The experiment solves the
reliable experiment that solve the problem. solve the problem but due solve the problem but due problem and has a high
solves the problem. to the nature of the design to the nature of the design likelihood of producing data
the data will not lead to a there is a moderate chance that will lead to a reliable
reliable solution. the data will not lead to a solution.
reliable solution.
SR.3 – I can My diagrams are missing My diagrams are present My diagrams and/or my My diagrams and/or my
communicate the details and/or my experimental but unclear and/or my experimental procedure are experimental procedure are
of an experimental procedure is missing or experimental procedure is present but with minor clear and complete.
procedure clearly and extremely vague. present but important omissions or vague details.
completely. details are missing.
SR.6 – I can record and My data are either absent or Some important data are All important data are All important data are
represent data in a incomprehensible. absent or incomprehensible. present, but recorded in a present, organized, and
meaningful way. way that requires some recorded clearly.
effort to comprehend.
SR.7 – I can analyze data No attempt is made to An attempt is made to The analysis is appropriate The analysis is appropriate,
appropriately. analyze the data. analyze the data, but it is but it contains minor errors complete, and correct.
either seriously flawed or or omissions.
inappropriate.

CV.6 – I can draw the position vs. time graph for an object moving with constant velocity.

CV.8* – I can solve constant velocity problems requiring multiple steps and/or simultaneous equations.