Help, Get Me Down!

Student Planning Worksheet

Part I: Initial Model
Sketch or draw a model (of the device you will create to bring your gummy bear down).
Write an explanation of the way to safely bring your rocket's precious cargo
slowly back to earth!


Part IIA: Falling Down - does weight matter?
Select materials carefully.
Design three different ways to lower a small object to the floor.
Begin your testing at a low height (a table or desk is good).
Test your three designs;
sketch the designs you created in the boxes below.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the designs based upon their weight.



Part IIB: Falling Down (again) – does the size matter?
You may use other materials for this portion of the experiment.
Design three different ways to lower the same item (used in step IIA) to the floor;
again, begin your testing at a low height.
Test your three designs, and sketch the designs you created.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the designs. 
Base your assessment upon the size of the device you created.


Part III: Revising the Model
Sketch or draw a revised model that incorporates both size and weight.
Bring this revised diagram into class when indicated.
There will be a brief class discussion;
the goal of this discussion is to give you some more ideas.
Make a drawing of the best design and make notes telling why this design is best.


Part IV: The Gummy Bear arrives!
Use the design created (and refined) in Part III with the Gummy Bear you are given
by your instructor (this will occur at Flight Fest).
Draw or sketch the arrangement of the Gummy Bear and your creation.
What additional considerations were required due to the addition of the Gummy Bear?
Note if the new arrangement worked or did not work.

Draw or sketch  and make notes on the success.

Drawing

Notes

At this point you may need to repeat Part III (revise the model).
Make notes about what you would do for a second launch.
Be inspired by the this quote:

Fail often in order to succeed sooner!

Stated by the owner of IDEO whose mission is to
create new products – meeting the needs of their customers.

Part V: share your findings with your class
Share what you learned, tested, and designed with your fellow designers.
Brainstorm as a group to create the penultimate model.
Enjoy the process of being a designer and engineer.