Parallel and Intersecting Lines—A Collision Course?
Students see the consequences of robots traveling parallel and non-parallel lines.Copyright 2011 Ursula Koniges, AMPS Program, Polytechnic Institute of NYU
Students act as civil engineers developing safe railways as a way to strengthen their understanding of parallel and intersecting lines. Using pieces of yarn to visually represent line segments, students lay down "train tracks" on a carpeted floor, and make guesses as to whether these segments are arranged in parallel or non-parallel fashion. Students then test their tracks by running two LEGO® MINDSTORMS® robots to observe the consequences of their track designs, and make safety improvements. Robots on intersecting courses face imminent collision, while robots on parallel courses travel safely.
Civil engineering is a broad field that encompasses designing and building of physical structures such as bridges, buildings and roads. Railway engineering is one particular specialty of civil engineering. This activity enables student application of somewhat abstract geometrical concepts to the practical example of railways; something familiar and tangible to many children. By applying these concepts to a known setting, with predictable consequences, students are able to solidify their understanding of abstract terms while simultaneously becoming acquainted with civil engineering.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Identify sets of parallel lines.
- Identify sets of non-parallel lines.
- Identify points of intersection in non-parallel lines.
- Project the intersection points of non-parallel lines.