Precision Movement Game Design Challenge (Grade 6)
Subject: Understanding matter and energy - electricity and electrical devices
Design Challenge:
Students will research, design, and build (using the materials and tools provided) an electronic precision movement game. The game must challenge the user to maintain precise movement through a test that becomes more challenging as they move from the beginning to the end. The tester must sound a buzzer when the user has reached his/her skill limit. Students must also name their games (e.g., bomb squad trainer, injury recovery tester, etc.). Students will record their results, make modifications and re-test (if time permits), and complete a report on the steps they took to solve the design challenge.
May 2012 OCTE Elementary Committee – Darren Foy, Richard Michaud, Cheryl Lovell
Tools:
- CSA approved safety glasses/goggles, one pair per person (parent volunteers included);
- an approved eyewash station; this can be two eyewash bottles containing approved eyewash fluid that has not reached its expiry time limit after decanting, or an installed system (an actual eyewash station, or approved faucet attachment)
- a first aid kit (please see your Board's Health and Safety Regulations if one is being purchased for your classroom)
- basic hacksaws (junior saws), or coping saws, minimum one for every 3 projects
- bench hooks, minimum one for every 3 projects
- 3" C-clamps, minimum one for every 3 projects
- a ruler, one per project;
- scissors, one pair for every project (students may supply their own);
- wire strippers (pliers with a side cutter section will work or even scissors; however, they are more likely to cut the wire during stripping than actual wire strippers), one for every six projects;
- low heat glue guns (one for every five projects); please note that white glue can be used instead of glue guns for both wood and cardboard versions of this challenge; masking tape, or packing tape can be substituted for the cardboard versions only;
- work gloves, 1 pair per low heat glue gun;
- aprons, 1 per low heat glue gun.
Materials:
- 3 basswood strips 24" x 1/2" x 1/2" (12mm x 12mm x 61cm) per project; if funding is not readily available use one corrugated cardboard box per project; make sure it is long enough to provide at least two continuous 18" (45cm) strips;
- battery holders (holds one AA battery), one per project (http://kidder.ca/);
- batteries, one AA battery per project;
- one buzzer (1.5 volt) per project
- copper foil tape, 40" per project
- bare wire will work if the student's structure design allows it to be pulled tightly enough to eliminate sags and bends (e.g., uncoated wire used for crafts, or for binding items);
- electric tape (10 cm per project to cover bare wire connections);
- 1 meter each of red and black, thin diameter braided copper wire per project
- sand paper, medium to fine grit, 1 sheet for every 5 projects;
- low heat glue sticks (one for every two projects); if using white glue, have about 300ml on hand for the class; if using tape, have about 2m per project available.