Grade 8 "EGG CAR" Homework Project - Due October 1
These are the same instruction I provided in class. I have also included a few examples of student projects.
CTD
Class – Transportation Technology: Engineering Safer Automobiles
Background: We can all agree that automobiles have
forever changed our lives. However, with
all of the many benefits and conveniences there are some negative impacts. First on the list would be safety for the
occupants. Since cars can travel at
great speeds the need to design and build safe vehicles is a crucial task for
engineers. Today cars are safer than
ever due to improved seat belts, air bags and state of the art chassis.
For this
homework assignment you will take on the role of an automobile safety engineer
to design and build a vehicle capable of keeping your passenger (one raw egg)
safe during a simulated crash. Put on
your thinking caps and start designing.
Objective:
Design and build a vehicle capable of transporting and protecting one raw egg
during three impacts with a concrete barrier.
Specifications
and Constraints for building the vehicle:
·
You may use any material to build your vehicle
except foam, Styrofoam and/or bubble wrap.
Milk cartons, juice bottles and small boxes make great car chassis. I will provide wheels and
axles.
·
You will receive up to 10 points for vehicles
built out of materials that would get thrown away or recycled.
·
The vehicle must roll freely down the
ramp. No braking devices.
·
The vehicle can’t be larger than 20” long or
14” wide
·
You may use a bumper, but please do not make it more than 2” thick.
·
You can use tape, glue, nails, hot glue guns,
screws or any other fastening device to assemble the vehicle.
·
I will supply the egg on test day. Please make sure a part of the egg is always
visible from the outside of the car.
Specifications
and Constraints for protecting the egg. These
are the only materials allowed to touch and protect the egg. All
other materials may result in points deducted from your grade. Ask me if unsure
·
String (any type including cloth and yarn)
·
Straws
·
Rubber Bands (any size)
·
Cardboard
·
Up to three sheets of printer paper
Evaluation/Grading
– A rubric will be used to assess the five areas below:
·
Creative problem solving (is your vehicle
creative and unique?) Up to 40 points
·
Construction (Is everything put together well?) Up to 25 points
·
Egg Safety (Did your egg survive all three
test runs?) Up
to 15 points
·
Completed self-assessment sheet turned in on
time Up to 10 points
Use of throw away or recycled material used to
construct the vehicle. Up to
10 points