2013 - 2014 Transportation Technology Projects
Egg Crash Vehicles
The Egg Crash Vehicle follows a proven hands-on, real-world problem-solving approach to learning. Students work in teams or as individuals to sketch and develop an original solution to a valid open-ended technical problem by applying the technical problem solving process. Students perform research to choose, validate, and justify a technical problem. After carefully defining the problem, teams or individuals sketch, build, and test their solutions.
Throughout the Egg Crash Vehicle, students learn and apply the design process, acquire strong teamwork and communication proficiency, and develop organizational, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. Through this hands-on project, students apply multiple disciplinary standards and document their work.
It’s STEM education, and it’s at the heart of today’s high-tech, high-skill global economy.
The Egg Crash Vehicle complements traditional mathematics and science related courses and can serve as the foundation for STEM-centered or specialized technical education. The project is designed to prepare students for life after high school and to pursue a post-secondary education and/or careers in STEM-related fields.
KEY QUESTIONS
• What is the “PERFECT” crash?
• How does a seat belt work?
• What is the right way to wear a seat belt?
• Why can “strategic weaknesses” be a strength in vehicle safety?
• In a collision, what are bumpers good for?
• What are crumple zones, and what are they good for?
• By what percent do airbags reduce the risk of dying in a frontal crash?
Throughout the Egg Crash Vehicle, students learn and apply the design process, acquire strong teamwork and communication proficiency, and develop organizational, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. Through this hands-on project, students apply multiple disciplinary standards and document their work.
It’s STEM education, and it’s at the heart of today’s high-tech, high-skill global economy.
The Egg Crash Vehicle complements traditional mathematics and science related courses and can serve as the foundation for STEM-centered or specialized technical education. The project is designed to prepare students for life after high school and to pursue a post-secondary education and/or careers in STEM-related fields.
KEY QUESTIONS
• What is the “PERFECT” crash?
• How does a seat belt work?
• What is the right way to wear a seat belt?
• Why can “strategic weaknesses” be a strength in vehicle safety?
• In a collision, what are bumpers good for?
• What are crumple zones, and what are they good for?
• By what percent do airbags reduce the risk of dying in a frontal crash?
Electric Race Vehicles
Background:
Everyone is trying to go green these days, and automakers are listening. Concerns about the environment and rising costs of fossil fuels are driving automakers to design and build cleaner, more energy efficient vehicles. Much of the focus is on electric vehicles (EVs).
Did you know the electric car was older than the gas-powered car? It is believed that the first electric car was invented between 1832 and 1839 by Scottish inventor Robert Anderson. The contraption was not more than a carriage with an electric motor and non-rechargeable batteries. In 1835, American inventor Thomas Davenport is credited with building the first practical electric vehicle, a small locomotive.
Design Challenge:
The student will design and fabricate a multi functional Electric Race Vehicle that will be able to travel down a track over a given distance, climb a hill, drag race or other specified events determined by the instructor.
Everyone is trying to go green these days, and automakers are listening. Concerns about the environment and rising costs of fossil fuels are driving automakers to design and build cleaner, more energy efficient vehicles. Much of the focus is on electric vehicles (EVs).
Did you know the electric car was older than the gas-powered car? It is believed that the first electric car was invented between 1832 and 1839 by Scottish inventor Robert Anderson. The contraption was not more than a carriage with an electric motor and non-rechargeable batteries. In 1835, American inventor Thomas Davenport is credited with building the first practical electric vehicle, a small locomotive.
Design Challenge:
The student will design and fabricate a multi functional Electric Race Vehicle that will be able to travel down a track over a given distance, climb a hill, drag race or other specified events determined by the instructor.