Make Sphero Fly! Classroom Design Project / Challenge

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This is a project that teachers can implement with their class. Essentially, it involves students designing ramps to determine which team can make Sphero jump the farthest. I created and tested a straightforward ramp as an example. How I Designed This I designed my sample ramp by considering skateboard ramps. They have that long spline with a small fillet at the top. The front of the ramp needed to be adjacent to the ground so the Sphero could initiate its ascent. I made several sketches, then created the digital design. After completing the design, I printed it out on a Makerbot Replicator 2X. Original Sketches Project: Make Sphero Soar! Overview & Background: By finishing this project, students will learn fundamental designing principles, how and why different ramp designs work better, momentum, velocity, and teamwork. Objectives: Learning to use angles, curves, and splines when designing Learning about motion and velocity Working as a team Ramp Designing Audiences: Grades don't matter, but I recommend grades 6-8. (middle school) Students should have a basic understanding of how to design simple shapes in a 3D designing program. Subjects: Engineering Designing Physics Math Skills Learned (Standards): Upon completing the project, students will have learned how to incorporate curves and splines into their designs, how to collaborate, and how to design a ramp. Lesson/Activity: Step one: Divide all students into teams. Give each team a laptop or other computer, paper, and pencils. Step two Ensure each team is working together. (20 minutes) Step three: Provide a time warning. (10 minutes) Step four: Dismiss class. Print all designs. Fill tray with sand. Prepare for the next class. Step five: Begin the next class. Give each team their ramp. Test the ramps by placing tape under them, then taping them five inches in front of the tray of sand, putting a yardstick or other measuring tool beside it, and giving the competing team the Sphero. The team must then run the Sphero over their ramp and onto the sand. Measure the jump. Repeat for all teams. Step six: Compare results. Discuss why some failed, why some worked. Dismiss class. (Optional:) Evaluate ramps. Setup Duration: Approximately 2 half-hour sessions, plus printing time. Preparation: Students should already have a basic understanding of how to design simple shapes in Solidworks or other 3D designing program. Each team will need a laptop or computer, 3D designing program, paper, and pencils. You will also require a Sphero and at least one 3D printer. A flat tray (baking tray) sand, and a yardstick are used to measure the jumps. Rubric & Assessment: By the end of the day, students will have a physical ramp that they designed. Teachers can evaluate by the distance, design quality, and/or printability of the ramp.