MISSION: In teams of 2-3, work together to devise a way to ensure that a cup with a ball inside it lands upright, without the ball falling out, when dropped from at least 1 yard.
RULES: Start with a sketch and then gather supplies (5min). You can test and adjust your design as many times as needed (15min). You cannot cover the cup in any way.
RULES: Start with a sketch and then gather supplies (5min). You can test and adjust your design as many times as needed (15min). You cannot cover the cup in any way.
ENGINEERING CONCEPTS:
Canopy - the part of a parachute that fills with air. Air trapped in the canopy slows the fall of a parachute because of air resistance, or the force of the air pushing against the canopy. Shock Absorber - is used to absorb the energy of the impact when gravity slams something into the ground. The leather or rubber on the bottom of our shoes cushions our feet as we walk. Springs also make good shock absorbers. REAL WORLD APPLICATION: When people need food, medicine, and life-saving supplies that must be airdropped because of natural disasters or war, engineers have to make sure that the supplies land safely, no matter what height they fall from. https://www.discovere.org/sites/default/files/Safe%20Landing%20activity.pdf |
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
Which materials could help to soften the cup’s landing?
How might you create a parachute to slow the container’s fall?
How can you make sure the cup doesn’t tip over as it is falling?
Which materials could help to soften the cup’s landing?
How might you create a parachute to slow the container’s fall?
How can you make sure the cup doesn’t tip over as it is falling?
Instructions: Photograph your sketch and final engineered design and place them on your Foxcroft Digital Portfolio. Write out your responses to the following questions using complete sentences. Do not include the questions themselves. Be sure that your writing is detailed, free of grammatical errors, and has a good flow.
LEADERSHIP
LEADERSHIP
- Was there a leader on your team? Who was it and who decided who the leader would be?
- If you had no leader, do you think having designated someone a leader would have helped?
- What does collaboration look like and sound like?
- Did you feel everyone's ideas were well received during the activity?
- How did you deal with frustration?
- Were all teammates included?
- Did your team have a plan?
- Did the plan work?
- Did you veer from the plan at all? Why or why not?
- What worked?
- What did you learn about yourself throughout this activity?
- Are you a leader? Do you work well in groups? Do you work well under pressure? Do you become frustrated under pressure?
- What is something you could work on in the next challenge activity?