This document provides information about science field trips for middle school students hosted by Adrian College and Michigan International Speedway. The field trips will take place in May 2016 at the speedway and include sessions on animal encounters, using microscopes, exploring a nature trail, testing water quality, and physics experiments. Teachers can choose 3 of the 6 listed session topics for their school trip. The document provides details on the learning objectives and activities for each session option.
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Track & Explore Program Guide for 2016
1. 1
February 26, 2015Adrian College
Contact Career Planning at:
517-265-5161 x4392
Race Track/
Animal Encounter
p.2
Microscopes p.3
Trail p.4
Water Quality p.5
Physics p.6
Contact: Adrian College
Phone: (517) 265-5161 ext. 4424
E-mail: miscscience@adrian.edu
Monday—Friday 9am—4pm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
TrackandExploreMISAC
Website: http://
www.virtualtrackandexplore.com/
Michigan International Speedway (MIS), a world
renowned NASCAR venue, and Adrian College
have cultivated an innovative partnership that
has developed into Track and Explore: a Nature
Adventure with Adrian College and MIS.
The goal is to provide a free opportunity for
teachers to bring their students to the beautiful
Irish Hills area and participate in interactive
science field trips tied to grade benchmarks.
This year’s programs feature these middle
school opportunities; the field trip host may
choose 3 options from the 6 listed categories
for their school’s experience! A form of the
Race Track session will be the 4th session.
Dates: May 2016
Monday-Friday
Time: 9:00 am to 1:30 pm
Location: Michigan International Speedway
*Any outdoor sessions are subject to
change based on weather conditions.
2. 2
Contact: Adrian College
Phone: (517) 265-5161 ext. 4424
E-mail: miscscience@adrian.edu
Monday—Friday 9am—4pm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
TrackandExploreMISAC
Website: http://
www.virtualtrackandexplore.com/
Option 2: Students will have a classifica-
tion overview. Then they will learn about
ecosystems, populations, and relationships
of some of our species. Students will have
an opportunity to interact with some of the
Adrian College animal collection.
Grades 5,6,7,8
Option 1: Students will use their prior knowledge to explore the
classifications of animals as well as key characteristics of species and how
these help them survive. Students will have an opportunity to interact with
some of the Adrian College animal collection. Grades 5,6,7,8
Students will learn more about Michigan
International Speedway with a brief history,
description and interesting facts. Along with this,
they will gain a first-hand experience with the
banking of the track and learn why this is neces-
sary for the racecar drivers. They will learn the
basic physics of the track. Grades 5,6,7,8
3. 3
Contact Career Planning at:
517-265-5161 x4392
Option 2: Students will review the parts and
appropriate use of microscopes. They will then
learn how to prepare and view slides under
microscopes. Students will also get to see
exactly what their teacher sees as we
incorporate our new video converter.
Grades 7,8
Option 1: Students will examine characteristics
of a variety of different organisms using
increased modes of magnification, from the most
basic hand lens to dissecting scopes and
compound microscopes. Students will also get
to see exactly what their teacher sees as we
Incorporate our new video converter.
Grades 5,6,7,8
Contact: Adrian College
Phone: (517) 265-5161 ext. 4424
E-mail: miscscience@adrian.edu
Monday—Friday 9am—4pm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
TrackandExploreMISAC
Website: http://
www.virtualtrackandexplore.com/
4. 4
Contact Career Planning at:
517-265-5161 x4392
Contact: Adrian College
Phone: (517) 265-5161 ext. 4424
E-mail: miscscience@adrian.edu
Monday—Friday 9am—4pm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
TrackandExploreMISAC
Website: http://
www.virtualtrackandexplore.com/
Option 3: Students will go on an “I Spy” version of the walking trial. This
will engage students and keep their eyes open to the surrounding nature.
Students will be put in groups and play a game to find the next
informational stop on the trail. Grades 5,6,7,8
Option 1: Students will observe the native and invasive species that
thrive in the Irish Hills. Students will engage in scientific observation
techniques. Grades 5,6,7,8
Option 2: Students will take the trail with a survival twist. Guides will
present toxic plants and other dangers while pointing out edible plants
and other potential uses for the species found in the Irish Hills.
Grades 5,6,7,8
Option 4: Students will use dichotomous keys to go through the trail and
identify the trees and plants that reside in the Irish Hills. Grades 7,8
5. 5
Contact Career Planning at:
517-265-5161 x4392
Contact: Adrian College
Phone: (517) 265-5161 ext. 4424
E-mail: miscscience@adrian.edu
Monday—Friday 9am—4pm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
TrackandExploreMISAC
Website: http://
www.virtualtrackandexplore.com/
Option 1: Students will gain a hands-on experience with pollution and run-
off by observing how rainwater carries pollution through an EnviroScape®
Landscape. Students will test unknown runoff waters for pH and phosphate
before and after a filtration. Grades 5,6,7,8
Option 2: Students will observe the filtration properties of three different
types of soil. This lab incorporates the use of equipment to measure mass,
volume, and pH. Students will increase their knowledge on pH through a
variety of tests using litmus paper, pH strips, and pH probes. Grade 8
6. 6
Contact: Adrian College
Phone: (517) 265-5161 ext. 4424
E-mail: miscscience@adrian.edu
Monday—Friday 9am—4pm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
TrackandExploreMISAC
Website: http://
www.virtualtrackandexplore.com/
Option 2: Intersection
Students will use inclined tracks and cars to explore forces and friction. The
students will set up an intersection and find the relationship between speed
and how long it takes to stop with or without friction. Grades 6,7,8
Option 1: Egg Drop “Car Collision”
Students will mimic a car crash with
the egg drop experiment. Students
will build a container for their egg and
try and create a device to absorb the
force of the impact. Students will ex-
plore the concepts of potential and
kinetic energy, as well as the im-
portance of seatbelts and air bags.
Grades 5,6,7,8
Option 3: Windmills
Students will make their own windmills and learn more about the principles of
wind energy, comparing the energy output of different models. They will
explore concepts of force, work, and power. Grades 5,6,7,8
Option 4: Conservation of Energy
Students will explore the concepts of potential and kinetic energy,
momentum, and elastic and inelastic collisions using physics equipment
designed for this purpose and hands-on activities. Grades 6,7,8
