Marvel Comic Mechanics, Cinematic

Kinematics & The Council for Heroic

College Readiness
Using Cal-Based Physics to Build Civic Engineers:

A STEM Project-Based Learning Unit

Marvel Action Mechanics PBL Unit Components:

1. Driving Entry Challenge: Marvel Action Mechanics is organized around an open-ended, Driving
Question: How might I redesign or upgrade how we (as college-bound students) see a superheros
function by using the power tools of Calculus and Physics to stimulate (stem-ulate) more New
York-area high school students to attend college and pursue STEM-related studies?
Focus for Common Core-aligned Calculus & Physics Standards: Accelerate our Core Trains of
Thought by integrating their application through relevant real and virtual contexts.
Choice/Menus (2): Students pick their projects [in teams and individually] after having practiced
dual aspectsthey work with Marvel Action Comic Mechanics and Mechanics in the real world (e.g.
Seeing Physics and Alg, Trig, Pre-Cal & Cal at work in Aviation Weekly).
End Product or Solution: The result of the work is an end product/presentation and Ad advocating
college studies as heroic, connecting the comic world and its goals to a real-world problem.
Interdisciplinary: The project integrates multiple disciplines: science, technology, engineering, art,
math and finally social studieswith an overarching meta-question (S-STEAM): Do Superheroes
function as civic engineers? In teams, students will justify their response using a Core train of
thought that displays Physics and Calculus graphically, physically, verbally, analytically and
numerically [GPVAN].
Teacher functions more as facilitator. STEM-aligned PBL here is inquiry-based in order to drive
deeper thought, student interest and engagement.

The Tower Puzzle and its Message

Design Challenge 1 (7 minutes)

ENTRY EVENT: SCALING THE TOWER THE MISSION

SCENARIO FOR SUPERCONSULTANTS

The Council for Heroic College Readiness (CHCR) needs urgently
to hire a team of Super Consultants that can use STEM-based
tools to inspire more NYC-area students to enroll in college.
Their goal is to associate college grads with the traits and
abilities of Superheroes in our popular media.
Surveys done by CHCR find that the heroes high school students
admire may in turn influence their choice as to whether and
when they pursue additional studies.
CHCRs goal is to develop a Superhero network of STEM
Academies that open doors to real world STEM Career
employment. To make it work meaningfully for kids in all 5
boroughs, they need input from you!

SCALING THE TOWER FORMULATING

THE FUNCTIONS IN THE JOBS HEROES DO
Cal-Based Physics STEM Project - Entry Event

ENTRY EVENT: SCALING THE TOWER THE MISSION

SCENARIO FOR SUPERCONSULTANTS

Our goal: Today we introduce how to redesign a superheros job
function by using two areas of:
Physics: Mechanics and Kinematics and the
Algebra/Trig/Calculus functions that go with them.
Mechanics => is the study of motion of larger objects without
concern for forces acting upon them.

Kinematics => (like kinetic) involves the study of motion with

analysis of forces.
Each of these have functional properties that when examined
graphically, physically, verbally, analytically and numerically
can become easier to understand.

ENTRY EVENT: WHATS YOUR JOB?

The Council for Heroic College Readiness needs you to:
1)

use your PC Power Tools to model and then redesign

(re-engineer) ways to package functions in the
various work of 3 Superheroes (B = ?; Sp = ?; Spd =?)

2)

use your redesigned Superhero job descriptions in ads

to inspire more New York high schoolers to continue
their education and their search for sustainable
Truth, Freedom and Justice (along with Prosperity
and the perfect apartment).

You have 2 PC Tool Chests at your disposal: C = Calculus

and P = Physics.

In short, you will help reimage both PC and CPB as powerful!

TODAYS RULES OF
ACTION
Cal-Based Physics STEM Project

RULES OF ACTION
Tame your tech while you sharpen the saw

Participate on your own and in teams; move around when

asked; write when asked; be a hero and use your name
card & team name
Teamwork is Heros work (work together actively)
Share your ideas dont share your secret superhero
identity
Try the exemplars for yourself because I may call on you
(be a team player) so stay ready
Producing parking lot questions engineers your exit
Superhero Consultants make self-investments (you get
your selected stocks value accrued at each lessons end)

MARVEL ACTION APPRENTICES:

SOLUTIONS 4 TODAY
REGENTS-AP EXEMPLARS TEAMS

OUR MARVELOUS MECHANICS PROBLEM

SOLVERS (See also Paper Apprentices)

Raven

Our Problem Solvers-Marvel Math

Apprentices (MMA)
Daily Problem Solving Dynamics MMA Takes On Todays Terrific Twenty-Five with You!

Graphically
Looks like,
Tabulates like

Physically means
simulates like
reacts like

Verbally means
reads as expresses
as

Analytically
means
concludes as

Numerically
means
calculates as

TEAM GOTHAM

Batman Label!

TEAM METROPOLIS
Superman Label!

TEAM UNDECIDED

MAKE UP YOUR MIND, PETER!

ITs STILL CALCULUS AND PHYSICS!

ON COMMON CORE PLAZA:

MAPPING OUT TRAINS OF
THOUGHT, TOOLS AND TEAMS
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS

WE ARE SCALING TWO TOWERS ON

COMMON CORE PLAZA (Look around)
CCS
Tower I

CCS
Tower II

Math
L7: Calc
L6: Trig
Functions
L5:
Alg/Exp/Q
uad
L4:
Functions
/Line Eqn
L3:
Building
Functions
L2:
Interpreti
ng
Functions
L1: Math
Practices

Physics:

MATH PRACTICES &

FUNCTIONS
BRIDGE BOTH TOWERS

L8: Waves
& Light
L7:Magneti
sm
L6:Electric
al Forces
L5:Motion
in Plane
L4:Work/En
ergy/Power

Your Teams now Will Engineer A Core

Content Structure as each team builds one
of these Towers (in 3D) designed with at
least 7 levels--using Index Cards & Tape

L3: Forces
& Laws of
Motion
L2:
Kinematics
L1:
Mechanics

MECHANICS - A BIRDs EYE VIEW

PHYSICS REFERENCE TABLE

CHART SMART TIME!

GET
YOUR CARDS READY!

TO NAVIGATE COMMON CORE PLAZA, GET ON

BOARD WITH CERTAIN HABITS OF MIND &
TRAINS OF THOUGHT

HABITS OF MIND
AP/IB TRAINS OF THOUGHT
MATH PRACTICE TRAINS
G.P.V.A.N. TRAINS of
THOUGHT

ON COMMON CORE PLAZA GPVAN TRAINS

ARE:
Graphical: understand and interpret data,
communicate data via visual representations,
conceptual geometry comprehension
Physical: utilize manipulatives and models, data
collection for experiments, "real world" applications
Verbal: interpret, explain, justify, and summarize data

Analytical: understand and utilize functions, variables,

definitions, theorems, and symbols
Numerical: perform calculations, approximations, and
data analysis

INTRO TO CALCULUS - A BIRDs EYE VIEW

LIBRARY OF FUNCTIONS

ITS CHART SMART

TIME!
GET YOUR CARDS
READY!

Q1: The equation for acceleration is a =

Which
variable will become squared? Which chart tells you?

a. (change in) distance

b. (change in) force
c. (change in) time
d. none of the above

Q2: The net force acting on an object is equal to the

product of the objects mass and the resulting
acceleration. [Newtons second law of motion] What
equation tells you this? On which chart?

a. F = ma
b. f(x) = |x|
c. F = qvB
d. F = kx

Assembling the Team

Note: Calculus & Physics ASSEMBLE to
TAKE GROUND in real-time problem solving:
the two of them work with more FORCE and
ENERGY when they work as a team.
Without C, Physics doesnt speak fluently--it
mostly acts. Without P, C only graphs,
formulates and equates and does not seem to
come to life. They need one another.

To triumph we need resultspublishable, applicable results.

nowwho among you will be the vanguard for Democracy, Freedom
and Discovery?
Princeton Professor --- Introduction from the film, A Beautiful Mind (2001)

SCALING THE TOWER FORMULATING

THE FUNCTIONS IN THE JOBS HEROES DO
Cal-Based Physics STEM Project - Entry Event

SCALING THE TOWERVERBALLY ANALYZING

HEROIC VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
Cal-Based Physics STEM Project Entry Event, Part 2

ENTRY EVENT: WHATS IN YOUR JOB?

READ THE TOWER PUZZLE BOX FOR CLUES TRACK
DOWN HEROIC FUNCTIONS [INTRODUCE HEROIC
TRAINS OF THOUGHT]
They are earths mightiest heroes, formed to battle
foes no single hero could withstand. ______________are
the most prestigious and powerful Super Hero team in
the world, an ever-shifting assemblage of superbeings, adventurers and crime fighters devoted to
protecting the planet from menaces beyond the scope
of conventional authorities.
Could this be you? Could you engineer the team that this job
description fits? To meet or beat market makers, Engineers
first analyze the productand use functions to work towards
redesign

ENTRY EVENT: NOW RECODE THE TOWER PUZZLE MISSION ANALYSIS

They are earths mightiest

heroes, formed to battle foes no
single hero could withstand.
______________are the most prestigious
and powerful Super Hero team in the
world, an ever-shifting assemblage
of super-beings, adventurers and
crime fighters devoted to protecting
the planet from menaces beyond the
scope of conventional authorities.

Use Your Circle Map to Recode the Words that Verbalize

P&C & Apply their Math & Science Functions
NEWTON?

1 2
=
2

earths
mightiest
heroes,

Look at this and

tell me how we graph it

=
vitational
constant

PBL Project Choice Menu #1

Marvel Action Mechanics as
G.P.V.A.N.

Use GPVAN and your Cal-Based Physics

Charts to locate Marvel Action Mechanics
using actual Marvel Comics (in pairs)

Graphically
Looks like,
Tabulates like

Physically means
simulates like
reacts like

Verbally means
reads as expresses
as

Analytically
means
concludes as

Numerically
means
calculates as

TEAM GOTHAM
See Marvel Action Mechanics
(Physically): Batman, X-Men and
More
In partners, use your Comic to find the
Physics and Math
Hint: Analyze Graphically,
Analytically, Numerically and
Verbally. (Lets practice.)

Team Gotham

Analytically
Numerically

A tired Batman starts from rest in the

Batmobile and experiences a uniform
acceleration of 22.5 m/s2 for 4 seconds. What
will be his final velocity after this period of
time?

Given: vi= 0 m/s a = 33.5 m/s2

= .

FIND vf
Solution: vf

a = 22.5 m/s2 * 4.0 s = 90 m/s

TEAM METROPOLIS
See Marvel Action Mechanics
(Physically): Superman, X-Men and More
In partners, use your Comic to find
examples of Physics and Math in
Superman versus Zod

Hint: Analyze Graphically, Analytically,

Numerically and Verbally. (Lets practice)

Analytically
Numerically

Team Metropolis

The acceleration due to gravity on planet

K is 20 meters per second squared. On
this planet, what is the weight of an
object whose mass is 2.0 kilograms?

W = mg

= . (. /2)

= 40N

G
S

G
S

Engineering
Tools

PBL Project Choice Menu #1

Marvel Action New & Improved Tool
(N.I.T.) Mechanics as G.P.V.A.N.

G
S

G
S

Choice Menu #2 Real World

Mechanics & Kinematics Action as G.P.V.A.N.:

Physically seeing P&C (in Aviation Weekly)
Project Menu involves real world recognition of Cal-based Physics in practical context

Use your GPVAN and Cal & Physics Tools

to Fly, Locate & Land Cal-Based Physics in
the Real World (in Teams)

EXIT EXAM TEAM

METROPOLIS VERSUS TEAM
GOTHAM
Use your CFU cards . On your mark, get set...

Q1: The equation for acceleration is a =

Which
variable will become squared? Use both charts.

a. (change in) distance

b. (change in) force
c. (change in) time
d. none of the above

Q2: The net force acting on an object is equal to the

product of the objects mass and the resulting
acceleration. [Newtons second law of motion] What
equation tells you this? Use both charts.

a. F = ma
b. f(x) = |x|
c. F = qvB
d. F = kx

PBL Project Choice Menu #2: Integrate

more Physics with Calculus (STEMulating Superman, Batman, X-Men &
Avengers)

MARVEL COMICS
KINEMATICS:
& THE X & Y (WHY) OF FORCE,
MOTION & ENERGY

BEFORE YOU GO: A FINAL QUESTION (from

Social Studies):
TEAM GOTHAM VERSUS TEAM METROPOLIS:

Can Superheroes function as civic engineers? What

is this? In teams, can you justify your response
using a Core train of thought that applies Physics
and Calculus to civic work graphically, physically,
verbally, analytically and numerically [GPVAN]?
Could you draw a linear continuum showing which
Superheroes discussed here function more as civic
engineers--on a scale of at least 0 to 3?

INDIVIDUAL SELF-ASSESSMENT
RUBRIC
PBL Project Completion for the Council of Heroic College Readiness

Level 4
Exceeds Expectations

INDIVIDUAL
Level 3 SELF-ASSESSMENT
Level 2 RUBRIC
Meets expectations

Meets some
expectations

Level 1
Begin to meet
expectations

I met all of Level 3

requirements and

I met all of Level 2

Requirements and

I met all of Level 1

requirements and

I helped all my
teammates understand
instructions or tasks that
they did not understand
and assisted others tasks
when asked.

I made sure that my team

was on track and doing
the tasks for each portion
of the project by verbally
checking in or asking
clarifying questions.

I knew the tasks that

needed to be done to
prepare for the final
presentation.

I was aware of all tasks

that were required to
complete the project.

I actively gave feedback

and received feedback
form my teammates
while considering their
feelings.

I listened to what my
teammates had to say and
asked for their opinions
throughout the project.

I read the instructions

and asked questions
when I didnt
understand something.

I listened to instructions
and was able to stay on
track

I encouraged everyone on
my team to participate.

I listened to my
I was respectful and
teammates and let them friendly to my

I always focused on my
task without being
reminded to complete it.
I helped resolve conflicts
on my team.

Standards or
21st Century
Skills

Measureable
Objectives

Possible
Learning
Activities

Formative &
Possible
Summative Products/Rubric
Assessment
Criteria
Ideas

FINAL
SUPERHERO
AD

EXPERT (4)

QUALITY OF
IDEA
(INTEGRATING
STEM w/
SUPERHERO
STRENGTHS

Selects & recreates

a Superhero job
description that
retools and
upgrades job
performance (based
on specific traits &
tools) by addressing
all aspects of the
CHCR STEM
enrolled education
goals.
Design chose by
team after
thoughtful
deliberation of the
identities of the
hero and the client.
Each part of the
design has a
rationale.

COMPETENT
(3)

BEGINNER (2)

NOVICE (1)

PROCESS
RUBRIC

EXPERT (4)

QUALITY OF
IDEA
(INTEGRATING
STEM w/
SUPERHERO
STRENGTHS

See Website rubric

CRAFTSMANSHI
P
(INTEGRATION
OF STEM
SKILLS)
MODEL
PERFORMANCE
PRESENTATION
(LITERACY,
MEDIA,
NUMERACY)

COMPETENT
(3)

BEGINNER (2)

NOVICE (1)

Solutions 4 Today
Means that
Models &
Multiple
Representations
Can Help Make
Worksheet Math
Problem Solving
Real.
Get > 1 Solution
Style.
PARCC is On Its
Way
Heroes Needed!

THANK YOU!
inalcotck@gmail.com