UNIT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Students will learn to apply the Engineering Design Process to solve a design problem. They will learn to apply physical science concepts gathered from research. Students will learn and apply varying design and manufacturing skills necessary to solve a technology problem.
DAILY LEARNING TARGETS, ALONG WITH ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS WILL BE POSTED ON THE COMMON BOARD.
SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT COLLABORATION AND COMPETITION: Each student will be responsible for completing the design process for a single dragster. You and your dragster will be part of racing team with a goal of winning in competitions for speed and design. Hence, it will be important for you to communicate and learn from each other within your team.
VOCABULARY & CONCEPTS: Use this link to open the Glossary of Engineering for CO2 Dragsters. As you follow the design engineering process, you will record new words and their meanings, as well as other design concepts, on a Design Process Guide. This document is submitted electronically upon completion.
PROBLEM STATEMENT: (RELATES TO FIRST PROBLEM SOLVING STEP): Design, construct, test , and perfect a CO2 powered dragster, with an original look and design, to travel the distance of the 36 foot long test track in the shortest possible time period.
DESIGN BRIEF: Using jet propulsion as your only source of power, you must design a dragster that will be made from balsa wood within the criteria and constraints stated in this activity. You will need to document your six steps of design as you did in previous activities, providing sketches, drawings and other evidence to support your learning. Your dragster will be entered into a competition as part of a racing team.
CRITERIA:
- The dragster must be of safe design and operation and must be powered ONLY by the CO2 The dragster will be entered in classroom competition.
- In order to be fast, the dragster shape should be aerodynamic, but also can be designed to look cool!
- Basic physical science concepts such as mass, friction, inertia, and momentum should be understood and considered throughout the process.
CONSTRAINTS:
- The dragster must be made only with approved materials provided in the dragster kit.
- Completed dragster must meet all weight and size specifications (separate document).
- Power must be supplied by an 8 gram CO2 cartridge.
- Dragster must be designed and manufactured by an individual student but will be entered as a team car.
COMPETITIVE TEAMS: The entire experience will be centered on a collaboration among three members of a “racing team”. As your team works together through the design process, your team will develop a strategy for how cars should be designed. Each individual student dragster will fulfill a role on the overall racing team based on four Categories for Scoring. The categories are listed in this link. The top three teams will be awarded medals. The collaboration of your team members will be documented throughout the design process.
ASSESSMENT: Your individual grade is not contingent on how well you and your team does in competition. The competitive side of this experience is strictly for motivation! Open this assessment rubric for each individual student and dragster.
USE THE LINKS BELOW FOR THE REQUIRED STEPS AND TO ACCESS RESOURCES FOR THE ENTIRE PROCESS.
PRE-PROCESS, DESIGN STEPS 1 AND 2
SUGGESTED WEBSITE RESCOURCES FOR RESEARCH: