Roadrunner
Name: ________________________________
You are a Biomechanical Engineer specializing
in animal locomotion. You are advising a medical
supply company on their development of
prosthetics for animals.
Your Challenge: How does the speed of the roadrunner
compare to humans?
LEVEL 1
After reading a variety of research papers, you’ve created a table to show the estimated distance
run by a roadrunner over time.
1.
The ratios in the table are proportional. Complete the table.
Roadrunner
Seconds
Feet
0
4
116
174
15
522
30
2.
Construct a function to describe the relationship between seconds (s) and feet (f).
3.
Graph the function on a coordinate plane.
4.
a.
What is the slope of the line?
b.
Interpret what the rate represents.
Updated May 2015 © NextLesson 2015 Roadrunner
5.
6.
a.
How long would it take a roadrunner to run 1 mile?
b.
Explain your reasoning for 5a.
a.
How far would a roadrunner run in 1 minute?
b.
If they could maintain the same speed, how far would a roadrunner run in 1 hour?
Updated May 2015 © NextLesson 2015 Roadrunner
LEVEL 2
To consider how your prosthetics for animals can apply against a human competitor, you’ve
decided to compare. One of the fastest humans, Usain Bolt, has a top speed of 40 feet per second.
7.
a.
Complete the table below to show the distances run over time by Bolt.
Usain Bolt
Seconds
Feet
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
b.
Imagine that Usain Bolt and the roadrunner are racing against each other. Give the
roadrunner a head start of 200 feet to make the race more fair. Graph the speed of
Usain Bolt in the same coordinate plane as the speed of the roadrunner. Be sure to
label your graphs.
8.
If s is seconds and f is feet, write the equation of Usain Bolt’s line in the form y = mx + b.
9.
a.
Compare the two lines and estimate the coordinates of the point where they cross.
b.
Interpret what this point represents.
10.
With the roadrunner's head start of 200 feet, how long would it take for Usain Bolt to catch
him? Solve a system of equations to find the time and distance that the two would meet.
Updated May 2015 © NextLesson 2015 Roadrunner
Challenge
In nature, both predators and prey have adaptations to help them survive. For many animals this
adaptation is speed. The cheetah is the fastest land animal with a top speed of about 110 feet per
second. One of its prey, the springbok, has a top speed of about 80 feet per second. The cheetah
can maintain its speed for about 1 minute, while the springbok can run for much longer.
1.
Determine how far ahead the springbok would need to be to so that the cheetah couldn’t
catch him. Justify your reasoning with evidence.
2.
So far, we have assumed that the animal’s speed is a linear relationship between distance
and time. Cheetahs can't run at their top speed of 110 feet per second immediately, but
they can accelerate to 88 feet per second in about 3 seconds. What might a graph of a
cheetah’s speed look like over 2 minutes? Construct a rough sketch of the graph
showing speed and time. Describe what the graph shows.
Updated May 2015 © NextLesson 2015 Roadrunner
Finale You could give students one of the following ideas or have them choose themselves.
1. As a biomechanical engineer you would study the movement of an animal in order to design
prosthetics for it. How would the animal’s movement affect the design? What factors need to be
considered? Conduct research to find out more about prosthetics and how they are designed for
animals. Prepare a report discussing your findings to share with the class.
2. Another area that can be related to biomechanics is the field of ergonomics. Ergonomics looks
at human factors in the design of products that human interact with. How has ergonomics
improved the design of products? Find at least 5 examples of products whose design has changed
due to ergonomics. Compare the designs and discuss the effect ergonomics had on the new
design.
3. Biomechanics is also involved in sports. A biomechanical engineer will look at an athlete’s
movement (swimming, running, jumping, etc.) and look for ways to make it more efficient so that
the athlete will be faster, or jump higher. Scientists have studied how Usain Bolt runs to see why
he is so fast. Conduct research into the biomechanics of how Usain Bolt runs. Write an article for
Runner’s World explaining why Usain Bolt is able to run so fast and how these techniques can be
used to improve other people’s running.
4. While most roadrunners have many similarities, there are several different types. What
different types of roadrunners are there? How many are there? What factors would cause them to
be different? Conduct research on the different types of roadrunners to answer these questions.
Prepare a report discussing the different types of roadrunners and why they are different.
5. If you wanted to be a biomechanical engineer what training would you need? Would you have
to go to college or could you train on the job? How long would it take to become a biomechanical
engineer? Conduct research to find out the steps you would have to take to become a practicing
biomechanical engineer. Write an article for the local career center explaining your findings.
Updated May 2015 © NextLesson 2015 Roadrunner
Glossary
Adaptation – a change or the process of Predator – an animal that naturally preys on
change by which an organism or species others.
becomes better suited to its environment.
Prey (noun) – an animal that is hunted and
Biomechanical Engineer – this is a type of killed by another for food.
engineer who applies the principles of
mechanical engineering to
biological Prey (verb) – to hunt and kill for food.
systems (see also Job Background section).
Prosthetic – the branch of surgery that
Ergonomics – the parts or qualities of deals with the replacement of missing parts
something's design that make it easy to use. with artificial structures.
Updated May 2015 © NextLesson 2015 Roadrunner
Job Background
Biomechanical Engineers fall into the category of “Mechanical Engineers” according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quick Facts: Mechanical Engineers 2012 Median Pay
$80,580 per year $38.74 per hour Entry-­‐Level Education
Bachelor’s degree Work Experience in a Related Occupation
On-­‐the-­‐job Training
None None Number of Jobs, 2012
258,100 Job Outlook, 2012-­‐22
5% (Slower than average) Employment Change, 2012-­‐22
11,600 What Mechanical Engineers Do Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal devices, including tools, engines, and machines. Work Environment Mechanical engineers generally work in professional office settings. They may occasionally visit worksites where a problem or piece of equipment needs their personal attention. Mechanical engineers work mostly in engineering services, research and development, manufacturing industries, and the federal government. How to Become a Mechanical Engineer Mechanical engineers need a bachelor’s degree. A graduate degree is typically needed for promotion into managerial positions. Mechanical engineers who sell services publicly must be licensed in all states and the District of Columbia. Pay The median annual wage for mechanical engineers was $80,580 in May 2012. Job Outlook Employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2012 to 2022, slower than the average for all occupations. Job prospects may be best for those who stay abreast of the most recent advances in technology. Updated May 2015 © NextLesson 2015