1. Project Launcher Project #3 Introduction to Transportation

2. Objectives After completing this activity, students will be able to: to:  State the differences between Potential and Kinetic Energy.  State the processes involved in creating an project launcher.  Create a project launcher that will launch itself and all components at least 5 feet straight up in the air and land in a vertical position

3. Content  It’s one thing to make a project throw a baseball, it’s another to make the project throw itself. Remember that you don’t need a lot of weight or make it real complex to get it to work. I want you to build a project that will launch itself at least 3 feet into the air. Remember you cannot use fire, gases, or explosives to accomplish this.

4. Potential and Kinetic Energy  What is Potential Energy? Answer: Answer: Potential Energy is the same as stored energy.

5. Potential and Kinetic Energy The "stored" energy is held within the gravitational field. When you lift a heavy object you exert energy which later will become kinetic energy when the object is dropped. A lift motor from a roller coaster exerts potential energy when lifting the train to the top of the hill. The higher the train is lifted by the motor the more potential energy is produced; thus, forming a greater amount if kinetic energy when the train is dropped. At the top of the hills the train has a huge amount of potential energy, but it has very little kinetic energy.

7.  What is Kinetic Energy? Answer: Answer: “Kinetic energy" is the energy of motion --it's ability to do work.

8. What is Kinetic Energy? The faster the body moves the more kinetic energy is produced. The greater the mass and speed of an object the more kinetic energy there will be. As the train accelerates down the hill the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. There is very little potential energy at the bottom of the hill, but there is a great amount of kinetic energy. The faster the body moves the more kinetic energy is produced. The greater the mass and speed of an object the more kinetic energy there will be. As the train accelerates down the hill the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. There is very little potential energy at the bottom of the hill, but there is a great amount of kinetic energy.

9. Theory  When your Project Launchers are latched and on the ground they are exerting potential energy (energy with the potential to move), even though they aren’t moving.  When you release the latching device your project exerts kinetic energy, energy in motion.

10. Materials  Scrap wood  Pine  2 x 4’s  PVC pipe  Materials from home  Supplies from trays  Machines and tools

11. Challenge Each student will design, sketch, and construct their own Project Launcher using various materials and equipment in the Construction Lab. The Sketches are random ideas of your thoughts but there should be a minimum of 4. From those 4 sketches select 1, draw it in detail using a ruler and straight lines (no freehand drawing). Be sure to include dimensions on your Initial Drawings. When the project is complete you will be required to complete the evaluation form and do a Final Drawing. The Final Drawing compares what your Project Launcher ended up looking like (again, no freehand drawing, use rulers) to what you drew for your Initial Drawing. Your grade is broken down into 3 parts be sure to see the Evaluation part for further explanation. Each student will design, sketch, and construct their own Project Launcher using various materials and equipment in the Construction Lab. The Sketches are random ideas of your thoughts but there should be a minimum of 4. From those 4 sketches select 1, draw it in detail using a ruler and straight lines (no freehand drawing). Be sure to include dimensions on your Initial Drawings. When the project is complete you will be required to complete the evaluation form and do a Final Drawing. The Final Drawing compares what your Project Launcher ended up looking like (again, no freehand drawing, use rulers) to what you drew for your Initial Drawing. Your grade is broken down into 3 parts be sure to see the Evaluation part for further explanation.

12. Challenge Your grade for part 1 depends on how close to your Initial Drawing you constructed your Project Launcher. The closer it resembles your Initial Drawing, the better your grade will be. The more changes you make or extra pieces you add the lower your grade will be. Part 2 is that each student will design and construct their own project launchers using various equipment in the classroom. There are no partners on this project; each student must make their own launcher. The launchers when done cannot be smaller than 5” long x 5” wide x 8” tall when it is set. You will be automatically disqualified and receive a zero if it is smaller in any or all of these dimensions. The launcher must launch itself at least 5 feet straight up in the air, and attach itself to the holder using the provided velcro strips.The project must be able to stand on its own on the workbench and must be latched. It has to stay stuck or it does not count. If it sticks but falls it does not count. Your grade for part 1 depends on how close to your Initial Drawing you constructed your Project Launcher. The closer it resembles your Initial Drawing, the better your grade will be. The more changes you make or extra pieces you add the lower your grade will be. Part 2 is that each student will design and construct their own project launchers using various equipment in the classroom. There are no partners on this project; each student must make their own launcher. The launchers when done cannot be smaller than 5” long x 5” wide x 8” tall when it is set. You will be automatically disqualified and receive a zero if it is smaller in any or all of these dimensions. The launcher must launch itself at least 5 feet straight up in the air, and attach itself to the holder using the provided velcro strips.The project must be able to stand on its own on the workbench and must be latched. It has to stay stuck or it does not count. If it sticks but falls it does not count.

13. Challenge The students will set off their projects by triggering their latches. Your latch must be in working condition in order to receive credit. If you don’t have a latch or put something on your project that you say is a latch but you are just putting it on there, you will receive a zero on the project. You don’t want to work for the two weeks only to receive a zero because of the lack of a latching mechanism. The students will set off their projects by triggering their latches. Your latch must be in working condition in order to receive credit. If you don’t have a latch or put something on your project that you say is a latch but you are just putting it on there, you will receive a zero on the project. You don’t want to work for the two weeks only to receive a zero because of the lack of a latching mechanism.

14. Challenge On testing day you will be given the class period to complete the objective. You will have ample time to do this project and testing and practicing is always allowed. There should be no excuses as to why your project is not completed and in working condition. You are not limited to wood and the materials I have in the Construction Lab, you can bring in resources from home. Your project might use elastics, or a spring. Your project launcher must have a trigger or device to set it off or your project will get a zero. A hook and latch method is good as well as a dowel rod that you pull out.

15. Challenge You must do all work in class unless I give you permission to take it home. Be creative on this project and a nice design and creative effort will only increase your grade. You must do all work in class unless I give you permission to take it home. Be creative on this project and a nice design and creative effort will only increase your grade. Good luck You must do all work in class unless I give you permission to take it home. Be creative on this project and a nice design and creative effort will only increase your grade. You must do all work in class unless I give you permission to take it home. Be creative on this project and a nice design and creative effort will only increase your grade. Good luck

16. Procedures  Be sure to fill out the entire portfolio. You will not get another chance to make adjustments. You will not start to work until the portfolio is completed.  Choose a design that you like the best, draw an initial drawing of it with dimensions  Use the supplied materials to create the Project launcher

17. Evaluation  The Portfolios are a separate grade worth 100 points  There is a reflective worksheet that counts as a separate grade of 100 points  See Attached Rubric  Remember that there is no fooling around in the lab  Do Not aim your project at someone and launch it  Always wear your safety glasses or you will be removed from class

18. Evaluation  Project works repeatedly  Project has a latching mechanism that works repeatedly  Project launches itself 5 feet in the air and attaches to the stand with velcro without falling off  Project looks like Initial Drawing with minimal changes  Student shows above average effort  Student shows above average safety skills 100 Points

19. Evaluation  Project works sometimes  Project has a latching mechanism that works sometimes  Project launches itself 5 feet in the air and attaches to the stand with velcro but falls off  Project looks like Initial Drawing with moderate to minimal changes  Student shows average effort  Student shows average safety skills 75 points

20. Evaluation  Project works sometimes  Project has a latching mechanism that works sometimes  Project launches itself 3 feet in the air  Project looks like Initial Drawing with exceptional to moderate changes  Student shows moderate effort  Student not allowed in class if not demonstrating proper safety skills 50 points

21. Evaluation  Project does not work  Project does not have latching mechanism  Project doesn’t launch itself  Project does not look like drawing at all  Student shows no effort  Student not allowed in class if not demonstrating proper safety skills 0 points