motorsport mathematics sonya thorley racemath project coordinator cranfield university school of...

Motorsport Mathematics

Sonya Thorley

Racemath Project Coordinator

Cranfield University

School of Industrial and Manufacturing Science

s.j.thorley@cranfield.ac.uk

Content

• Context• Aim • Schools• Content of Site• Structure• Examples• Conclusion

Context

• The world of motorsports has a huge following with a varied and diverse audience.

• Motorsport Mathematics takes advantage of this enthusiasm for motorsports to demonstrate the relevance and practical use of maths and of physics outside the classroom and hence encourage people towards a greater appreciation of science and engineering.

Racemath Aim

• Develop a motorsports science and mathematics e-learning portal, particularly targeting children.

Schools

• Parts of the site’s content have been designed to follow and fit in with key stages from the National Curriculum. These are easily identifiable for users.

• Site access is free...!.

Content of Site• School Key Stages

• Teachers Track

• Technical Topics

• Units and Number Types

• Signs and Symbols

• Vehicles

• Tracks

• Drivers

• Interaction

• Careers in motorsport

Structure

Structure of Portal Version 1.0

Main MenuIndex

UnitsMain Menu

SignsMain Menu

TeachersMain Menu

GCSEMain Menu

VehiclesMain Menu

TracksMain Menu

DriversMain Menu

CareersMain Menu

InteractionMain Menu

NewsMain Menu

Maths/Physics

Speed Sample

Forces

Interviews with Industry

Interview with Professor Adrian Reynard

Job Title: Director

Company: BAR F1 Team

Can you give an example where you have used maths and or physics in Motorsports in an interesting, exciting and or fun way?

Motorsports in an interesting, exciting & or fun way?

I designed all my own cars from 1973 to 1987 and the acted as Chief designer until around 1990. All this time I effectively needed those skills and after that I needed to test the people who were doing my previous job!

Conclusion

• Motorsport Mathematics is an easy to use e-learning tool for users of all ages to learn about maths and science at their own pace and in their own time.

• https://www.racemath.info

• racemath@cranfield.ac.uk