Designing and Building An Action Game (Grade 8)
Grade: Eight
Topic:
- Understanding Structures and Mechanisms - Systems In Action
- Understanding Matter and Energy - Fluids
Scenario:
The Internationally famous firm of “Games R Us” is looking to expand into the educational market. They would like to produce games that are educational but yet are entertaining and interesting, especially to teenagers. The “Games R Us” game designers, feel that a game involving pneumatics and hydraulics would be suitable but do not have the knowledge necessary to create a game of this type. They have therefore approached you to design and construct a prototype (model) of a game that meets the following design specifications (requirements). Final proposals, including prototypes, are due at the close of business on ________(date).
Design Specifications - the game must:
- be operated using hydraulics or pneumatics (the syringes are used to control the rolling movement of the marble through the maze design on the base)
- be challenging enough to hold the interest of a teenager
- there must be a place provided for the storage of all loose parts
- be constructed out of the materials provided
Materials:
- 1 piece of wooden dowel (supports the game board)
- Game board 30 cm x 30 cm. can be made from a thin piece of hardboard or from a thick piece of cardboard
- 4 syringes preferably 2 different sizes (provide the force to move the game board). The follower syringes are placed in diagonally opposite corners through holes drilled in the game board
- 1 piece of plastic tubing about 100 cm long
- 1 block of wood about 10 cm long (a piece of 2x4 would work well for the base for the game)
- Strips of wood to create the game surface (“jinx” wood or Popsicle sticks)
- Marble or game pieces