Project: Rock and Roll
The United Federation of Planets has a need for a new cargo transportation trailer that can be pulled across the surface of an extraterrestrial planet. Students are asked to design a device that can move a payload across a variety of terrains and obstacles. The device should be able to completely fit inside an 8in W x 12in L x 12in H ‘starting box’. A payload weighing approximately 5.5 pounds will be placed on the top of the device. The payload must sit on the uppermost surface of the device and cannot be attached in any way to the device. Pulling force will be applied over a period of time by a string attached to the front of the device and routed through a guide pulley.
Criteria
1. You cannot move the terrain or obstacles by hand during the test.
2. Touching the device or payload during testing will result in a failed attempt.
3. Your device cannot weigh more than 10 pounds.
4. If the payload falls off during testing, you will be graded by the distance the payload reached during testing.
5. The device must be completely within the 8in W x 12in L x 12in H ‘starting box’ when the test starts. .
6. Your device can not “throw, launch or toss” the payload.
7. The device cannot cost more than $20 for materials and components, however you will be allowed to “rent” basic items like counterweights for free as long as they can easily be removed from the device at the end of the test.
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