Basketball Toss

thingiverse

Using a springboard with a movable fulcrum, students try to shoot a ball through a basket while measuring the height of the ball as the fulcrum position and size, and the ball density change. Students explore parabolic motion by sending a ball through the basketball hoop. With the fulcrum and springboard, they determine the connection between independent (fulcrum height, ball density, location of fulcrum) and dependent (ball height) variables. Using a 30-60-90 fulcrum introduces geometry concepts for right triangles. Students learn to visualize and design real-world 3D objects using Tinkercad. The parts (hoop, ball, fulcrum, and springboard are printed on a 3D MakerBot printer, then assembled to make the complete test assembly. Print Settings Printer Brand: MakerBot Printer: MakerBot Replicator (5th Generation) Rafts: Yes Supports: No Resolution: .20 mm Infill: 10% Notes: The total print time with PLA of all required parts (except two 3/8" diameter wooden dowels 12 inches long) is 6 hours. This can be reduced to 1.5 hours if the base is also made of wood. Standards CCSS Overview and Background Students design a "Basketball Toss" device in Tinkercad, build it on the 3D printer, and assemble it. Then they test the height that the ball reaches while varying the fulcrum height, fulcrum distance from the end of the springboard, and balls with various fill percentages (density). Objectives: * Students will design real-world objects using 3D design software. * Create objects with specific dimensions and tolerances on a 3D printer. * Understand the concepts of print volume, shell, fill density, print time, and their relation to print time. * Discover the connection between independent and dependent variables. * Collaborate in groups effectively. Skills learned: C.C. Standards of Mathematical Practices MP1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. MP4 Model with mathematics. MP5 Use appropriate tools strategically. MP6 Attend to precision. CSTA Standards 4.2.2 Collaboration NGSS M.S. Engineering and Technology Standards Strand 1 Define a design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process or system and includes multiple criteria and constraints, including scientific knowledge that may limit possible solutions. Lesson Plan and Activity Using the Power Point file which shows construction steps and dimensions, students design the different parts in Tinkercad. Students save the designs in .stl format and transfer them to the MakerBot for printing. Teachers or trained students print the parts. This will take 5 hours for the complete print or 90 minutes if the base board is done with other materials such as wood. Have students assemble the parts and test the device. Test the device using the two different fulcrums one at a time in the same location. Measure the height that the ball reaches compared to its density. Pre-print balls of fill density 10%, 25% and 50%. Do a lab report on the change in the height reached by the ball compared to its density. A fulcrum that is 10.2 x 20.3 x 8.8 mm and one inch tall is a 30-60-90 prism. The base is a 30-60-90 triangle. This fulcrum can be rotated on all three axes, and students learn the relation between hypotenuse, short side, and long side. Duration Design the parts in Tinkercad, assuming no previous experience with Tinkercad: 6 hours Printing of parts on 3D printer: 3.5 hours for baseboard and springboard, 1.5 hours for basket, 1.5 hours for three balls different fill Assembly and Test with two fulcrums: 2 hours Testing fulcrum at different distances along the springboard: 1.5 hours Testing balls of different densities: 1 hour Total time excluding lab reports: 10.5 hours + 6.5 hours of printer time Preparation Preparation (Materials): Computers with Tinkercad, 3D printer and filament, Power Point file showing dimensions for the device (available as pdf or jpg), ruler or tape measure, two 3/8" diameter wooden dowels 12 inches long, lab reports (not included), pencil with eraser. Basketball Toss Lesson Plan and Standards