Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, students will:

-Know the definitions of internal combustion engine, hybrid electric vehicle, emissions, and pollution.
-Be able to calculate the percentage reduction in emissions achieved by a hybrid electric vehicle.
-Be able to calculate the increase in fuel mileage, or the decrease in fuel consumption, for a hybrid electric vehicle.
-Be able to calculate the payback period for purchase of a hybrid electric vehicle.
Understand the difference between a part-to-part ratio, a part-to-whole ratio, and a rate.
-Be able to set up and solve proportions using rates and ratios.
-Be able to set up and solve percentages as proportions.
-Be able to describe a linear relationship in terms of rate and starting point, using a graph, a table or an equation.
-Be able to find the y-intercept and the x-intercept of a linear relationship, using a graph, a table or an equation.

Teaching Process

Activity 1: Reducing Truck Emissions

In this exercise, students will compare the emissions of a normal gasoline-powered vehicle with the emissions of a hybrid vehicle. They will calculate the percent reduction in emissions (or pollution) and the percent of fuel saved by using a hybrid electric vehicle. In the follow-up activity, they will calculate the total amount of fuel saved if a certain percentage of vehicles in Colorado were to be replaced by hybrid electric vehicles.

Activity 2: How Catalytic Converters Work

In this exercise, students will use linear functions to determine the total amount of hydrocarbons emitted by a vehicle depending on its catalyst temperature. For this exercise, students will use a table to create a graph, and then answer questions based on the graph.

Activity 3: How Much Does It Cost?

In this exercise, students will conduct research to find the sale price of a hybrid electric vehicle. They will conduct research to find their family car’s fuel mileage and average monthly miles traveled. (As an alternative, the teacher can supply them with a few examples, like the ones provided in this activity.) Students will then calculate the dollar value of fuel savings per month by switching to a hybrid electric vehicle. Finally, using the purchase price of a hybrid electric vehicle and the monthly savings rate, they will create a linear function using an equation a table and a graph, and calculate the payback period for purchasing a hybrid electric vehicle.

Teachers Notes

Detailed instructions and requirements for each activity can be found in the attached lesson plan.

Assessment/Evaluation

Assessment rubric can be found on page 25 of the attached lesson plan.