International Online Virtual Grand Prix Racing An exciting maths project for schools in international partnerships Val Brooks

Objectives of this presentation To explain the outline, objectives and aims of this project To introduce the software requirements To offer an overview of Cars Maths in Motion and ideas on how ICT can help partnerships work collaboratively.

Outline of project A UK school partners any international school to work collaboratively to hold online virtual grand prix races using practical maths and some simulation software. partners They join, live online, other partnerships to hold a live, online International Challenge at designated dates through the year. Support at any stage of the project is available through an online community. online communityonline community

The aims of the project To promote collaborative working between schools and pupils so that ‘teams’ are made up of pupils from both schools To enhance the engagement, enjoyment and learning of maths and other ICT skills To encourage and extend the number of partnerships involved

Project details There are TWO aspects to this project: –Software requirements for the maths –Software requirements for partnership collaboration. By combining both aspects, as explained in the following slides, you can create an exciting and successful partnership.

Software Requirements (Maths) Each school will require a network licence for the software. This can be obtained from CSH at a special challenge price. CSH (Please quote ‘international challenge’ if ordering the software.)

Software Requirements (Collaboration) , forums, an eTwinning twinspace, Ning or any other online web space eTwinningNingeTwinningNing LIVE Online collaboration software such as: –Skype (Free) Skype –Flashmeeting (Free) Flashmeeting –Elluminate vRoom (Free) Elluminate vRoom Elluminate vRoom –Or any others that are available Note: To hold LIVE online races, it will be necessary to use software that allows application sharing

The ‘Cars’ software - overview Cars Maths in Motion is all about teams working together using practical maths and simulation software to set up cars for a virtual grand prix. The aim in this project is to help those teams to be made up of pupils from partner schools – not just to have school racing against school although this is a good starting point!

Overview of steps (click on each stage to see some images and ideas on working collaboratively or simply move through the slides in order) Practical Maths 1 – The Track Plan Practical Maths 1 – The Track Plan –Identifying features on a scale drawing of a track plan which will then be used to calculate the car’s safe speeds for the practice laps. Using the software 1 – Workshop adjustments Using the software 1 – Workshop adjustments –Making adjustments within the software to achieve the best percentage efficiency for the car. Practical Maths 2 – Calculating safe speeds Practical Maths 2 – Calculating safe speeds –Use percentages to find out the safe speeds of the car before completing a practice lap. Using the software 2 – Practice laps Using the software 2 – Practice laps –Making sure all calculations have been correct and then ‘tweaking’ to set the best speeds for the grid position and the race. Practical maths 3 – Pit team briefing Practical maths 3 – Pit team briefing –Calculating race distance and fuel, making decisions on pit stops And finally……. The Race! The Race!

Practical Maths 1 – The Track Plan Back to overview of steps The practical maths of measuring track plans to identify features can be done in individual schools but then teams would meet/exchange their findings and compare, discuss any differences and check them to come to a negotiated agreement on what each feature is. This is important as they will have to calculate later on how fast their car can travel safely on each part of the track.

Using the software 1- Workshop adjustments The workshop adjustments is all about being the ‘engineer’ to set up the performance of the car and considers things like engine tuning, gear ratios etc. Schools can meet online and ‘share’ the program so that they can both watch what happens as the settings are changed – and again come to a negotiated agreement. If they are unable to meet online, then members of a team from each school can set their car up, exchange settings and come to an agreement which setting they think will be the better ones for their team car. Back to overview of steps

Practical Maths 2 – calculating safe speeds Back to overview of steps Following agreeing the workshop adjustments, they will need to calculate their car’s safe speed – this can be done individually and then agreed by exchanging results.

Using the software 2 – Race Planning and practice laps The next part of race planning can again be shared online so that they all see if their practice lap is successful. Once again though, if they are unable to meet live, this can be done individually. Once a successful practice lap has been completed, the next part of ‘tweaking’ their speeds on each feature really does need to be done together so that they can discuss and agree the best settings and strategy for their car. Back to overview of steps

Practical Maths 3 – Pit Team Briefing Back to overview of steps Finally, the team must decide on fuel and pit stops. Some of this work can be done individually and compared but once again, it would be great to get them online to discuss the final settings. Another opportunity for collaboration.

The Race Once everyone’s cars are set up, then the race can be held. Holding this live online so that pupils from both schools see what happens simultaneously will really enhance the activity to make it far more exciting. So this is an overview of what teams of children will be doing – you can see from the photos, taken at the 2008 UK National Final, how hard they work and how exciting it all is – even for the teachers.

The International Challenge We aim to hold 3 live online races each year – details are published to all schools which have registered to the online community. International races will be run live using Elluminate (free download)

Project steps (at any time of year) OctDecNovJunMarJul Teachers will need to: –Find a partner school and communicate with your colleague to discuss the project partner school partner school –If required, order software and install on school network. If unfamiliar with the software, sign up to and use online resources or seek support from your partner school. software Start working with students: –Use some ice-breaking activities to help students get to know each other. ice-breaking activities ice-breaking activities –Begin work using the Cars software – collaboratively if possible. –Meet online to run your own races. Meet online Meet online –Join the online community and enter the International Challenge (3 races a year) online community online community Feb JanAprMay

Collaboration isn’t easy, but…… Children working in teams in one school is pretty straightforward – teams working virtually is a really big step, but imagine just what our students can gain from all of this! There will be obvious hurdles but part of all this is working out how to overcome those too! What an achievement if you can do it!

If you want to know more…. Have a look at press cuttings, video extracts from past races and more by going to the online community area. ( Click the button ‘Login as a guest’.) online community area online community area Contact: Software used: –Cars Maths in Motion: –ElluminateLive!: Some suggested links for finding partners: –In Europe : –Internationally: