TE Activity: Ready, Set, Escape
Contributed by: K-12 Outreach Office, WPI
Summary |
Engineering Connection |
| Engineers are constantly trying to make better and more accurate timing devices.This activity focuses on designing an accurate, yet simple device with limited supplies. |
Contents
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| Grade Level: 9 (9-12) | Group Size: 4 |
| Time Required: 2 hours |
Activity Dependency  :None |
Expendable Cost Per Group
:
US$ 2 |
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| Keywords: Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy, Conservation of Energy, Period, Simple Harmonic Motion, Engineering Design Process, Timing Challenge | |
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Related Curriculum
:
| subject areas | Physical Science Science and Technology |
Learning Objectives (Return to Contents)
At the end of this activity, students will be able to understand:
- The Engineering Design Process.
- The concept of conservation of energy in relationship to kinetic and potential energy.
- Simple harmonic motion.
Materials List (Return to Contents)
- Stop watch - testing purposes only
- String (shoelaces)
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Paperclips
- Soap
- Glue
- Coins
- Paper cups
- Soda bottles
Students may bring in up to 3 additional simple items. Clocks, watches, or any other devices that have a pre-made timer are not allowed.
Introduction/Motivation (Return to Contents)
You have been taken prisoner in a foreign country. You are going to try to escape from the prison. In order to escape, you must time the movements of the guards exactly! You have to design a method of timing 3 minutes (the time it takes the guards to change posts) so you can make your break. You will be able to use a timing device to check the accuracy of the device. No clock/watch may be used in the device itself. You will be graded on how close you come to the 3 minutes. Good Luck!
Vocabulary/Definitions (Return to Contents)
| Kinetic Energy: | The energy of a moving body. |
| Potential Energy: | The energy stored in a system. |
| Conservation of Energy: | Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. |
| Simple Harmonic Motion: | A repeated motion around a central equilibrium position. |
| Pendulum: | A device with a mass attached to a fixed that oscillates around an equilibrium position. |
| Amplitude: | Maximum displacement from the equilibrium position. |
| Period: | The time it takes to complete one cycle of motion (back and forth). |
Procedure (Return to Contents)
Before the activity
- Gather all the materials.
- Read out the motivation/introduction section to the class
For the students
(See attachment for student handouts)
- In groups, brainstorm ideas to complete the task (record all ideas).
- Make a list of 3 materials you would like to bring from home (this cannot include a timing device)
- Choose the best solution.
- Get approval from your teacher on additional materials being brought in.
- Explain why that solution was chosen.
- Sketch solution.
- Build prototype
- Test prototype (record time)
- Redesign to get a more accurate time.
Attachments (Return to Contents)
Safety Issues (Return to Contents)
Candles or any type of open flame should not be used due to fire hazards Students should mention to the class if there are any safety hazards specific to their design before they test in class (falling objects, water splashing, etc.).
Assessment (Return to Contents)
Pre-activity assessment
Quiz on vocabulary terms above (see attachment).
Activity embedded assessment
- Teamwork.
- Brainstorming and decision making processes.
- Ability to observe and understand when there is kinetic and potential energy in the system.
Post-activity assessment
Give the students a homework assignment with the following questions (see attachment).
- When did your system have potential energy and when did it have kinetic energy?
- Were you able to observe conservation of energy in your system? If not, explain how it was conserved.
- Did your device follow simple harmonic motion? Explain.
- Grade for the device will be based on how close the students were able to measure 3 minutes with their device.
Activity Extensions (Return to Contents)
- Ask the students to analyze the reason for success or failure of their device.
- Discuss possible ways to improve accuracy of the device.
- Provide time for 2-3 redesigns.
Activity Scaling (Return to Contents)
For advanced classes allow less error in timing. For lower level classes use a rubric that is more lenient to timing errors.
Copyright
© 2005 by Worcester Polytechnic Institute including copyrighted works of other educational institutions; all rights reserved.Supporting Program (Return to Contents)
K-12 Outreach Office, WPILast Modified: September 26, 2008