A football being kicked, a fork falling off a table, and a spacecraft orbiting the Earth are all examples of projectiles. For our project, we will focus on the two dimensional motion of an object released from ground level and thrown in a gravitational field.  Air resistance will not be considered. 

In this module, students will determine:

• The x and y components for original velocity
• The optimum release angle of a projectile that will produce the greatest distance. 
• How far away the projectile lands from the starting point

In addition, the use of mathematical modeling will be stressed.  Students in middle and high school will complete a STELLA and Excel model.  They will use a Mathematica tutorial to review (or learn) trigonometric ratios and conversion from degrees to radians.

Module components include: One Excel and two STELLA models; a Mathematica tutorial; experimental activities; national and state (Alabama) standards; assessment materials (rubrics, on-line test); and on-line resources.

	This project was developed by Alabama Team 1, Cadre 2 July, 2002 Leigh Harrison, Jane Jones, Carol Tower Williams Technology Middle School, Huntsville, Alabama Tommi Holsenbeck Jeff Davis High School, Montgomery, Alabama
	This project is supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Science Foundation.