A Modeling Scenario for Cooling a Hot Vehicle in Florida

Authors

• Jared Bunn, Florida Polytechnic UniversityFollow
• Bernadette Mullins, Florida Polytechnic UniversityFollow
• Elizabeth Hale, Florida Polytechnic UniversityFollow
• Jaeyoun Oh, Florida Polytechnic UniversityFollow

Publication Date

August 2026

Keywords

modeling-first, modeling scenario, parameter estimation, calculus, differential equations

Disciplines

Mathematics | Ordinary Differential Equations and Applied Dynamics | Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Science and Mathematics Education

Abstract

This paper presents a group project assigned in a Calculus 2 course that has students work to develop, analyze, and draw conclusions about a modeling scenario for cooling a hot car. Using a modeling-first approach, instructors supported the students in class throughout the beginning of the project, enabling the groups to complete the remainder of the project on their own. Students used parameter estimation to tune their models to provided data: one for windows being up, and one for windows being down. This project provides an example of how modeling can be introduced early in a calculus course, rather than waiting until a differential equations course.

Recommended Citation

Bunn, Jared; Mullins, Bernadette; Hale, Elizabeth; and Oh, Jaeyoun (2026) "A Modeling Scenario for Cooling a Hot Vehicle in Florida," CODEE Journal: Vol. 20: Iss. 2, Article 10.
Available at: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/codee/vol20/iss2/10