HOVER CRAFT PROJECT
Focus PBGR's :
1) Students will develop an understanding of the attributes of design.
Learning Targets:
~The design process includes defining a problem, brainstorming, researching and
generating ideas, identifying criteria and specifying constraints, exploring possibilities,
selecting an approach, developing a design proposal, making a model or prototype,
testing and evaluating the design using specifications, refining the design, creating or
making it, and communicating processes and results.
~The design needs to be continually checked and critiqued, and the ideas of the design
must be redefined and improved.
2) Students will develop an understanding of engineering design.
Learning Targets:
~Established design principles are used to evaluate existing designs, to collect data, and to
guide the design process.
~Engineering design is influenced by personal characteristics, such as creativity,
resourcefulness, and the ability to visualize and think abstractly.
~A prototype is a working model used to test a design concept by making actual
observations and necessary adjustments.
~The process of engineering design takes into account a number of factors.
Hovercraft Assignment
Directions: Get into your assigned group for this project and read the Hovercraft Vehicle Design Brief bellow. You and your partner are to sketch out designs for two complete Racing class hovercraft's and two complete Hauling class hovercraft's. Use either graph or blank paper for your sketches. Be sure to add notes that describe the parts and any other information that would be important for others to know about your designs. You may use the internet for ideas to help get you started but you need to create original designs.
Problem
You and a partner will work together to design and build a hovercraft. Once you complete your prototype your engineering skills will be put to the test in two categories; Sport and Hauling classes. The Sport class test will be a race to see whose hovercraft can travel the given course in the shortest time possible. The Hauling class test will identify whose hovercraft has the greatest load carrying capacity. The vehicle that can carry the most weight the full length of the course will be declared the winner. The length of the track will be 8 feet. All crafts must be designed and built so that they meet the following criteria and constraints.
Design Criteria and Constraints
1. Craft size cannot exceed 7 inches in width and 11 inches in length.
2. The craft must be powered by the provided power source.
3. A maximum of 2 toy motors can be used and they must be the motors that are provided.
4. 3 blade propellers must be used to lift and propel the craft.
5. You must include lift and propulsion shrouds.
6. Vehicle must have an on/off switch wired to the motor to cut the power.
7. Any materials that are not available in class that are needed for your design must be provided byyour group.
