Project Contest

A Design-Based Challenge

As a design-based activity, the glider challenge engages students to explore the challenges of controlled flight from a non-powered, heavier than air glider. The students will design a single glider to accomplish two tasks: 1) Distance – Design a glider that can go as far and straight as possible in a controlled course. 2) Time Aloft – Design a glider that can remain airborne as long as possible within a controlled course. The controlled course will be 30 meters long by 5 meters wide.

The challenge for the students will be to design one glider that will be able to accomplish both tasks. The completed glider and supporting design data will be presented at the Math and Science Odyssey on February 6, 2009.

From World in Motion website: Students explore the relationship between force and motion and the effects of weight and lift on a glider. Students learn the relationships between data analysis and variable manipulations, and the importance of understanding consumer demands. The glider activity culminates in a book-signing event where each design team presents its prototype and the class presents its manuscripts to Mobility Press "representatives" and members of the local community.

Connections to Science and Math Curriculum Standards

The Soaring To New Heights project connects to three of the nine Physical Science topics identified for 8^th grade students in the Content section of the California State Science Education Standards. The analysis of Motion and Forces, Investigations & Experimentation and Inquiry are the three Physical Science topics supported by in this challenge. The challenge this year allows the opportunity for teachers to use the SAE “A World in Motion II” The Design Experience Challenge kit. This Kit/Curriculum provides teachers and students the opportunity to use science, mathematics, and technology to explore the process of design. The curriculum supplied with the kit addresses specifically the National Research Council standards to educate students to develop products and solutions to problems using technological design. It also meets the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics curriculum standards, which emphasize that students should perceive mathematical connections to the real world through mathematical thinking, modeling, and problem solving.

Contest Purpose:

An annual event where student teams learn how to apply math and science to the engineering process in an exciting, hands-on project.

Contest Participation:

Teams will be registered for the contest on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will be done via the Odyssey website. Teams must consist of students already registered to attend the Math and Science Odyssey. Project participation is not required to attend the Odyssey Event.

Contest Awards:

The contest consists of two awards. The contest awards will be presented to the best project completed and one for best technical report.

Project Completion:

The team will design and build a glider from scratch using only the contents from the SAE “A World in Motion II” The Design Experience Kit. The glider will be designed and built between now and the Math and Science Odyssey event. Teams will bring completed glider and supporting design data to be presented at the Math and Science Odyssey on February 6, 2009.

Instructions & Guidelines:

The glider must fit fully assembled in a box measuring one meter by one meter by ½ meter. At the event, a judge will lower a box of the above dimensions over the glider to determine if the glider meets the specification. This is a pass/fail test. A glider not fitting inside the box will be disqualified.

The device MUST come with a list of materials, including material source and material cost, that will be displayed on the day of the event. The glider should be built using only materials provided in the SAE “A World in Motion II” The Design experience Kit is provided free to teachers. Additional supplies not in the kit need to be identified and accounted for. Teams using additional supplies will be assessed penalties based on the costs of those additional materials. This is a pass/fail requirement. A glider not accompanied with a list of materials will be disqualified.