Page updated 1/26/99

"Soap Box Derby"

Kirkwood, Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Resources:

Time:  2 weeks.

For wheels:

  old spools, jar lids, etc. (NO "regular" wheels)

  For chassis:

  recycled stuff, old boxes, etc.

Recycle scrap materials from home or  in lab. (No scrap wood for the body.  No wheels from anything that was intended to be a wheel.)

Cost:

No more than $2.

People:

Two people, plus the "driver."

Tools:

Anything in lab.

Context: 

This design brief for a problem solving activity actually has two contexts. The first, and most obvious, is that of using the potential energy of gravity to speed us safely and quickly down a hill, and perhaps even further. The second is to find ways to recycle old materials.

Challenge: 

Design and construct a model of a vehicle that will tranport a "person" the farthest distance using only the power the vehicle can obtain from gravity as it rolls down an inclined plane. The plane will be provided and will be about three feet in height and about 6 feet in length.

Evaluation: 

The distance the vehicles travel will provide half the grade. The longest run will be given 25 points. Next will be given 24.5, next 24, next 23.5, etc. The other 25 points of the grade will be based upon creativity, craftsmanship, and creative use of recycled materials. 

Feedback: 

Obviously the feedback from the first evaluation criterion will be intrinsic. Your practice runs will give you an idea of your chances of success on the final night. The other half will be given as a grade.

Limitations

You may not touch the vehicle once it is in motion.

The vehicle may not be pushed down the inclined plane.

The driver must not fall off the vehicle during the run.

The distance will be measured to the front of the vehicle.

Any "wheels" cannot be real wheels from a toy or other.

There is a 90 second time limit on each test.

Best out of two runs will count.