Activity Introduction
Quick summary: In this lesson, students will use their knowledge of forces, energy and the laws of motion to investigate an issue in society – the coward punch. They will learn about the coward punch in context, investigate the factors that affect the force of a punch, explain these using motion principles and perform calculations for forces and energy in a collision.
The STOP the Coward Punch education package aims to spread awareness about the devastating effects of the coward punch on our community. This education package was developed by a team of experts, including a youth worker, education specialist and specialist teachers and references the latest research and laws on coward punches.
Learning intentions:
- Students will investigate what causes large forces in a punch
- Students will perform calculations involving forces, energy and Newton’s Second Law
- Students will understand that the motion resulting from a coward punch is sufficient to cause significant injury or death.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 10 Science:
- Energy conservation in a system can be explained by describing energy transfers and transformations (ACSSU190)
- The motion of objects can be described and predicted using the laws of physics (ACSSU229)
Syllabus outcomes: SC5-10PW, SC5-11PW
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding
Relevant parts of Year 10 achievement standards:
Students explain the concept of energy conservation and represent energy transfer and transformation within systems. They apply relationships between force, mass and acceleration to predict changes in the motion of objects.
Topic: Social Issues
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work STOP the Coward Punch: Science – Years 9 & 10.
Time required: 60 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium to High – teacher will moderate class discussions, run group activities and facilitate learning around a topic of violence which will require sensitivity and nuance.
Resources required:
- The Science Behind The Punch Article – one copy per student (digital or printed)
- Device capable of presenting video and images to the class
- Scientific calculators
- Student devices with internet capability (optional)
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student.
Related professional development: Strategies for Dealing with Aggressive and Violent Behaviours
Keywords: forces, energy, motion, physics, coward punch, one punch, violence
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
