Project LauncherProject LauncherProject #3Project #3

Introduction to TransportationIntroduction to Transportation

ObjectivesObjectivesAfter completing this activity, students will After completing this activity, students will

be ablebe able

to:to: State the differences between Potential State the differences between Potential

and Kinetic Energy.and Kinetic Energy. State the processes involved in creating State the processes involved in creating

an project launcher.an project launcher. Create a project launcher that will launch Create a project launcher that will launch

itself and all components at least 5 feet itself and all components at least 5 feet straight up in the air and land in a straight up in the air and land in a vertical positionvertical position

ContentContent It’s one thing to make a project throw It’s one thing to make a project throw

a baseball, it’s another to make the a baseball, it’s another to make the project throw itself. Remember that project throw itself. Remember that you don’t need a lot of weight or make you don’t need a lot of weight or make it real complex to get it to work. I want it real complex to get it to work. I want you to build a project that will launch you to build a project that will launch itself at least 3 feet into the air. itself at least 3 feet into the air. Remember you cannot use fire, gases, Remember you cannot use fire, gases, or explosives to accomplish this.or explosives to accomplish this.

Potential and Kinetic EnergyPotential and Kinetic Energy What is Potential Energy?What is Potential Energy?

Answer:Answer:

Potential EnergyPotential Energy is the same is the same as as stored energystored energy..

Potential and Kinetic EnergyPotential and Kinetic EnergyThe "stored" energy is held within the gravitational The "stored" energy is held within the gravitational field. When you lift a heavy object you exert energy field. When you lift a heavy object you exert energy which later will become kinetic energy when the object which later will become kinetic energy when the object is dropped. A lift motor from a roller coaster exerts is dropped. A lift motor from a roller coaster exerts potential energy when lifting the train to the top of the potential energy when lifting the train to the top of the hill. The higher the train is lifted by the motor the more hill. The higher the train is lifted by the motor the more potential energy is produced; thus, forming a greater potential energy is produced; thus, forming a greater amount if kinetic energy when the train is dropped. At amount if kinetic energy when the train is dropped. At the top of the hills the train has a huge amount of the top of the hills the train has a huge amount of potential energy, but it has very little kinetic energy.potential energy, but it has very little kinetic energy.

What is Kinetic Energy?What is Kinetic Energy?

Answer:Answer:

““Kinetic energyKinetic energy" is the " is the energy energy of motionof motion --it's ability to do --it's ability to do work.work.

What is Kinetic Energy?What is Kinetic Energy?

The faster the body moves the more The faster the body moves the more kinetic energy is produced. The greater kinetic energy is produced. The greater the mass and speed of an object the the mass and speed of an object the more kinetic energy there will be. As the more kinetic energy there will be. As the train accelerates down the hill the train accelerates down the hill the potential energy is converted into kinetic potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. There is very little potential energy. There is very little potential energy at the bottom of the hill, but there energy at the bottom of the hill, but there is a great amount of kinetic energy.is a great amount of kinetic energy.

TheoryTheory When your Project Launchers are When your Project Launchers are

latched and on the ground they are latched and on the ground they are exerting potential energy (energy exerting potential energy (energy with the potential to move), even with the potential to move), even though they aren’t moving.though they aren’t moving.

When you release the latching device When you release the latching device your project exerts kinetic energy, your project exerts kinetic energy, energy in motion.energy in motion.

MaterialsMaterials Scrap woodScrap wood PinePine 2 x 4’s2 x 4’s PVC pipePVC pipe Materials from homeMaterials from home Supplies from traysSupplies from trays Machines and toolsMachines and tools

ChallengeChallenge Each student will design, sketch, and construct their Each student will design, sketch, and construct their

own Project Launcher using various materials and own Project Launcher using various materials and equipment in the Construction Lab. The Sketches are equipment in the Construction Lab. The Sketches are random ideas of your thoughts but there should be a random ideas of your thoughts but there should be a minimum of 4. From those 4 sketches select 1, draw it minimum of 4. From those 4 sketches select 1, draw it in detail using a ruler and straight lines (no freehand in detail using a ruler and straight lines (no freehand drawing). Be sure to include dimensions on your Initial drawing). Be sure to include dimensions on your Initial Drawings. When the project is complete you will be Drawings. When the project is complete you will be required to complete the evaluation form and do a Final required to complete the evaluation form and do a Final Drawing. The Final Drawing compares what your Drawing. The Final Drawing compares what your Project Launcher ended up looking like (again, no Project Launcher ended up looking like (again, no freehand drawing, use rulers) to what you drew for your freehand drawing, use rulers) to what you drew for your Initial Drawing. Your grade is broken down into 3 parts Initial Drawing. Your grade is broken down into 3 parts be sure to see the Evaluation part for further be sure to see the Evaluation part for further explanation. explanation.

ChallengeChallenge Your grade for part 1 depends on how close to your Your grade for part 1 depends on how close to your

Initial Drawing you constructed your Project Launcher. Initial Drawing you constructed your Project Launcher. The closer it resembles your Initial Drawing, the better The closer it resembles your Initial Drawing, the better your grade will be. The more changes you make or extra your grade will be. The more changes you make or extra pieces you add the lower your grade will be. Part 2 is pieces you add the lower your grade will be. Part 2 is that each student will design and construct their own that each student will design and construct their own project launchers using various equipment in the project launchers using various equipment in the classroom. There are no partners on this project; each classroom. There are no partners on this project; each student must make their own launcher. The launchers student must make their own launcher. The launchers when done cannot be smaller than 5” long x 5” wide x 8” when done cannot be smaller than 5” long x 5” wide x 8” tall when it is set. You will be automatically disqualified tall when it is set. You will be automatically disqualified and receive a zero if it is smaller in any or all of these and receive a zero if it is smaller in any or all of these dimensions. The launcher must launch itself at least 5 dimensions. The launcher must launch itself at least 5 feet straight up in the air, and attach itself to the holder feet straight up in the air, and attach itself to the holder using the provided velcro strips.The project must be able using the provided velcro strips.The project must be able to stand on its own on the workbench and must be to stand on its own on the workbench and must be latched. latched. It has to stay stuck or it does not count. If it It has to stay stuck or it does not count. If it sticks but falls it does not count. sticks but falls it does not count.

ChallengeChallenge The students will set off their projects by The students will set off their projects by

triggering their latches. Your latch must triggering their latches. Your latch must be in working condition in order to be in working condition in order to receive credit. If you don’t have a latch receive credit. If you don’t have a latch or put something on your project that you or put something on your project that you say is a latch but you are just putting it say is a latch but you are just putting it on there, you will receive a zero on the on there, you will receive a zero on the project. You don’t want to work for the project. You don’t want to work for the two weeks only to receive a zero because two weeks only to receive a zero because of the lack of a latching mechanism.of the lack of a latching mechanism.

ChallengeChallengeOn testing day you will be given the class On testing day you will be given the class period to complete the objective. You will period to complete the objective. You will have ample time to do this project and have ample time to do this project and testing and practicing is always allowed. testing and practicing is always allowed. There should be no excuses as to why your There should be no excuses as to why your project is not completed and in working project is not completed and in working condition. You are not limited to wood and condition. You are not limited to wood and the materials I have in the Construction the materials I have in the Construction Lab, you can bring in resources from home. Lab, you can bring in resources from home. Your project might use elastics, or a Your project might use elastics, or a spring. Your project launcher must have a spring. Your project launcher must have a trigger or device to set it off or your project trigger or device to set it off or your project will get a zero. A hook and latch method is will get a zero. A hook and latch method is good as well as a dowel rod that you pull good as well as a dowel rod that you pull out.out.

ChallengeChallenge You must do all work in class unless I You must do all work in class unless I

give you permission to take it home. give you permission to take it home. Be creative on this project and a nice Be creative on this project and a nice design and creative effort will only design and creative effort will only increase your grade. You must do all increase your grade. You must do all work work in classin class unless I give you unless I give you permission to take it home. Be permission to take it home. Be creative on this project and a nice creative on this project and a nice design and creative effort will only design and creative effort will only increase your grade. Good luckincrease your grade. Good luck

ProceduresProcedures Be sure to fill out the entire portfolio. Be sure to fill out the entire portfolio.

You will not get another chance to You will not get another chance to make adjustments. You will not start make adjustments. You will not start to work until the portfolio is to work until the portfolio is completed.completed.

Choose a design that you like the Choose a design that you like the best, draw an initial drawing of it best, draw an initial drawing of it with dimensionswith dimensions

Use the supplied materials to create Use the supplied materials to create the Project launcherthe Project launcher

EvaluationEvaluation The Portfolios are a separate grade worth 100 The Portfolios are a separate grade worth 100

pointspoints There is a reflective worksheet that counts as a There is a reflective worksheet that counts as a

separate grade of 100 pointsseparate grade of 100 points See Attached RubricSee Attached Rubric Remember that there is no fooling around in the Remember that there is no fooling around in the

lablab Do Do NotNot aim your project at someone and launch aim your project at someone and launch

itit Always wear your safety glasses or you will be Always wear your safety glasses or you will be

removed from classremoved from class

EvaluationEvaluation Project works repeatedlyProject works repeatedly Project has a latching mechanism Project has a latching mechanism

that works repeatedlythat works repeatedly Project launches itself 5 feet in the Project launches itself 5 feet in the

air and attaches to the stand with air and attaches to the stand with velcro without falling offvelcro without falling off

Project looks like Initial Drawing Project looks like Initial Drawing with minimal changeswith minimal changes

Student shows above average Student shows above average effort effort

Student shows above average Student shows above average safety skillssafety skills

100 Points

EvaluationEvaluation Project works sometimesProject works sometimes Project has a latching mechanism Project has a latching mechanism

that works sometimesthat works sometimes Project launches itself 5 feet in the Project launches itself 5 feet in the

air and attaches to the stand with air and attaches to the stand with velcro but falls offvelcro but falls off

Project looks like Initial Drawing with Project looks like Initial Drawing with moderate to minimal changesmoderate to minimal changes

Student shows average effortStudent shows average effort Student shows average safety skillsStudent shows average safety skills

75 points

EvaluationEvaluation Project works sometimesProject works sometimes Project has a latching mechanism Project has a latching mechanism

that works sometimesthat works sometimes Project launches itself 3 feet in the Project launches itself 3 feet in the

airair Project looks like Initial Drawing Project looks like Initial Drawing

with exceptional to moderate with exceptional to moderate changeschanges

Student shows moderate effortStudent shows moderate effort Student not allowed in class if not Student not allowed in class if not

demonstrating proper safety skills demonstrating proper safety skills

50 points

EvaluationEvaluation Project does not workProject does not work Project does not have latching Project does not have latching

mechanismmechanism Project doesn’t launch itselfProject doesn’t launch itself Project does not look like Project does not look like

drawing at alldrawing at all Student shows no effortStudent shows no effort Student not allowed in class if Student not allowed in class if

not demonstrating proper not demonstrating proper safety skillssafety skills

0 points