Appendix A

Carolina STEM Challenge™: Catapult

Qualifications for Submission

One submission per classroom

1-3 students per design team

Members of design team are from grades 6-12

The 2-4 minutes video should include:

Footage of entire device

Demonstration of device in action

Visible measurement of results following demonstration

Video Presentation

Video presentation score is based on organization of content, audio and video clarity, explanation of design and construction process, reflection on design, and creativity.

Catapult Objectives

Design a catapult that launches a projectile the farthest distance in a straight path.

For the catapult’s construction, use at least one of the paint stirrers included in the kit. The fulcrum of the catapult may be constructed of any materials.

The projectile used for the catapult must be one of the three provided (cork, pom-pom, or rubber stopper).

The catapult must be placed on the floor for testing. It may not be tested on a raised surface, such as a table or lab bench.

Points will be awarded based on the distance (in centimeters) the projectile travels parallel to the device (see illustration). One point will be awarded for each centimeter the projectile travels from where the projectile rests on the catapult to the point at which it first contacts the ground after launch.

This rubric will be used to evaluate your extension activity:

Category / Below Average / Average / Excellent
Defining a Problem / Rephrases the problem with limited clarity. / Rephrases the problem clearly. / Rephrases the problem clearly and precisely.
Brainstorming / Contributes few or implausible ideas. / Contributes a plausible idea. / Contributes multiple plausible ideas.
Researching and Generating ideas / Contributes ideas, but without documented research. Produces incomplete sketches. Does not present a concept. / Contributes one plausible idea based on documented research. Produces marginally accurate pictorial and orthographic sketches of design concepts. / Contributes multiple plausible ideas based on documented research. Produces accurate pictorial and orthographic sketches of design concepts.
identifying Criteria and Specifying Constraints / Does not restate the criteria clearly and fails to identify constraints. / Restates the criteria clearly and identifies several constraints. / Restates the criteria clearly and precisely and identifies many constraints.
Exploring Possibilities / Inadequately analyzes the pluses and minuses of a variety of possible solutions. / Satisfactorily analyzes the pluses and minuses of a variety of possible solutions. / Thoroughly analyzes the pluses and minuses of a variety of possible solutions.
Selecting an Approach / Selection of solution is not based on consideration of criteria and constraints. / Selects a promising solution based on criteria and constraints. / Selects a promising solution based on a thorough analysis criteria and constraints.
Developing a Design Proposal / Design proposal is inadequate and lacking pertinent information. / Design proposal is adequate, containing all pertinent elements. / Design proposal is accurate and comprehensive.
Making a Model or Prototype / Prototype meets the task criteria to a limited extent. / Prototype meets the task criteria. / Prototype meets the task criteria in insightful ways.
Testing and Evaluating the Design using Specifications / Testing and evaluation processes are inadequate. / Testing and evaluation processes are adequate for refining the problem solution. / Testing processes are innovative.
Refining the Design / Refinement based on testing and evaluation is not evident. / Refinements made based on testing and evaluation results. / Significant improvement in the design is made based on prototype testing and evaluation.
Creating or Making it / Finished solution (product) fails to meet specifications. / Finished solution (product) meets specifications. / Finished solution (product)exceeds specifications.
Communicating Processes and Results / Solution presented withlimited accuracy. Limited supporting evidence on how the solution meets the task criteria. / Solution presented accurately. Some supporting evidence on how the solution meets the task criteria. / Solution presented concisely with clarity and accuracy. Extensive supporting evidence on how the solution meets the task criteria.

Student Resource 4.2.3

Engineering Design Process Folio

Name / Abbie Glasby & Lexy Taylor / Group Members
Date Started / Due Date
  1. Define the Problem

What need or want must be met by the solution?

  1. Brainstorming

In the space provided, sketch three possible solutions to the given problem. Remember to be creative!

3. Research and Generating Ideas

In the space below, document your research. Be sure to include proper citations at the end of your notes.

  1. Identifying criteria and specifying constraints

What are the criteria and constraints?

Materials List

  1. Exploring possibilities

Reflect on your brainstorm ideas and research notes. Generate any additional designs which you feel meet the criteria and constraints in the space below.


  1. Selecting an Approach
  2. Enter the constraints of the project in the first column.
  3. Score each sketch for each constraint. + = 3 pts., √=2 pts., - = 1 pt.
  4. Total the columns and circle the highest score.

Constraint / Sketch 1 / Sketch 2 / Sketch 3
Total
  1. Developing a Design Proposal

Take your highest scoring sketch and create working drawings (sketches with dimensions, so that you could build your project). Attach your working drawings to this sheet.

  1. Making a model or prototype

In the space below, document (using digital pictures) your construction of the model/prototype. Be sure to include a picture of the final model/prototype.


  1. Testing and Evaluating the Design, using specifications

As you create your solution, you will perform tests to make sure that the solution is meeting the needs of the given problem. If you solution does not work, you may need to repeat the previous steps of the Engineering Design Process, until you find a functional design. In the space below, document the type of test you conducted and the results.

Test Performed / Test Results
  1. Refining the Design

Based on your tests, propose refinements to the design and construction of the design problem in the space below.

  1. Creating or Making It

If time allows, modify your model/prototype as proposed in refining the design. What additional steps would be necessary to produce this solution for mass market production?

  1. Communicating processes and results

Present your completed design portfolio as an oral presentation to the class.