Forces B

The objectives of the exercises are for the students to understand the interrelationships of various forces acting on moving objects. The students will then apply those concepts during two challenge projects: 1) successfully packaging of an egg that will prevent it from being damaged when the packaged egg is subjected to forces resulting from dropping it from a predetermined height and 2) successful design of a soda bottle rocket propelled by compressed air. Each unit includes supplies necessary for 20 students to complete 10 one-hour hands-on sessions, instructional DVDs, activity sheets, lesson plans, and program completion certificates. (Note: the pictures do not show the program in its entirety.)

• Week 1-3: You’ll have some great fun with these experiments that will help you understand important concepts related to various forces. There falling versus gliding, constructing parachutes of various sizes and optimizing performance, as well as understanding concepts of drag.

• Week 4-5: Once you’ve got these important concepts down, you’ll be put to the test. Can you design an egg carrying device that can with stand a drop from an elevated position without breaking the egg? Can you also design a device that will do the same thing except this time with no parachute?

• Week 6: You’ll be experimenting with thrust, by designing and building your own balloon powered racer.

• Week 7: Now it’s time to turn that thrust in a different direction and build a simple hover craft that can easily scoot across a smooth surface.

• Week 8-10: Building rockets is fun, exciting and can even get you a little wet. You’ll be taking your knowledge to build a water and air pressure powered rocket that can launch a payload as high as possible and safely retrieve it upon landing.