STEM Sims: Fleet Manager

Introduction

STEM Sims provides over 100 simulations of laboratory experiments and engineering design products for application in the STEM classroom. One particular simulation found on this site, Fleet Manager, challenges students to manage their very own fleet of vehicles by comparing the fuel efficiency of vehicles and determining which vehicles should be replaced or converted to more efficient vehicles. Fleet Manager is aligned with national (NGSS) standards (see below) and is compatible with state standards as well.

• MS-ESS3.A – Natural Resources
• MS-ESS3.D – Global Climate Change
• MS-ETS1.C – Optimizing the Design Solution

The simulation provides students with a brochure (see link below), a pre-assessment quiz, and an introductory information overview about the use of alternative fuels. The Fleet Manager simulation links important science concepts to real-world concepts. For example, students of all ages can integrate mathematics and science concepts into the decision of purchasing a future car, e.g., mileage, operating cost, emissions, etc.. Hence, this activity gives students the opportunity to evaluate an entire fleet of vehicles. Subsequently, this evaluation elicits the higher levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy and simultaneously challenges students to make both efficient and environmentally decisions similar to those made in real-life.

Brochure: https://stemsims.com/simulations/fleet-manager/brochure/brochure.pdf?version=2017-01-31

STEM Sims provides three separate lesson plans for this simulation (see links below):

Lesson 1: https://stemsims.com/simulations/fleet-manager/lessons/lesson-1.pdf?version=2017-01-10

Lesson 2: https://stemsims.com/simulations/fleet-manager/lessons/lesson-2.pdf?version=2017-01-10

Lesson 3: https://stemsims.com/simulations/fleet-manager/lessons/lesson-3.pdf?version=2017-01-10

Conclusion

The “STEM Sims: Fleet Manager” simulation engages students into authentic STEM learning at a reasonable cost and standards-based for measurable learning results. Undoubtedly, this simulation is relevant to the scientific concepts that students need to learn and emphasizes environmental concerns and safety.  As we have with the other STEM Sims products, consider signing-up for a free trial of this simulation and determine where this instructive learning tool fits into your classroom learning environment.

For a free trial, visit https://stemsims.com/account/sign-up

Recommended System Qualifications:

• Operating system: Windows XP or Mac OS X 10.7
• Browser: Chrome 40, Firefox 35, Internet Explorer 11, or Safari 7
• Java 7, Flash Player 13

Single classroom subscription: $169 for a 365-day subscription and includes access for 30 students and 100 simulations.

Product Site: https://stemsims.com/

Edwin P. Christmann is a professor and chairman of the secondary education department and graduate coordinator of the mathematics and science teaching program at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. Anthony Balos is a graduate student and a research assistant in the secondary education program at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania