How to Measure and Calculate Speed

Next Generation Science

This educational video provides a clear and engaging introduction to the concepts of motion and speed for elementary and middle school students. It begins by observing the various ways objects move in our world, such as in straight lines, turning, rolling, and bouncing, using diverse visual examples ranging from paper airplanes to roller coasters. This qualitative introduction helps ground the physics concepts in observable reality before moving to more abstract definitions. The video then transitions to the concept of speed, defining it simply as how fast or slow something moves. It uses comparative examples—like a cheetah versus a turtle, and a kayak versus a jet ski—to illustrate speed differences. Crucially, the video introduces the mathematical formula for calculating speed (Speed = Distance ÷ Time) and demonstrates this with two distinct examples: calculating a car's speed in kilometers per hour and a sprinter's speed in meters per second. For educators, this resource serves as an excellent bridge between observing motion and mathematically quantifying it. It provides visual anchors for vocabulary terms and step-by-step walkthroughs of calculations that can be paused for student participation. The content effectively links science concepts with math skills (division), making it suitable for interdisciplinary lessons in physical science and mathematics.