Engineering Fair Project

Project Options Overview • • • • • •

Bridge Building Contest – Individual Project Eiffel Tower Contest – Team Project; 2 Per Team Electrical Motor Contest – Individual Project Ping-Pong Ball Launcher Contest – Team Project; 2 Per Team Rubber Band-Powered Vehicle Contest – Individual Project Wacky Wonder Works Contest – Team Project; 2 to 3 Per Team

Sponsored by OK Engineering Foundation • Students taking 8th Grade Pre-AP General Science are required to complete an engineering fair project. • The engineering fair is sponsored by the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation (OEF). • This professional organization for engineers decides and sets all of the project design requirements students are expected to follow. • Their website outlines the project requirements for each specific project listed below. • You can go directly to the contest rules by going to the following website. www.oef.org or http://oef.org/programs/engineering-fair/contest-rules

Individual & Team Projects • Students can complete the project individually or with a team member(s) depending on the engineering project option chosen. • These options all require elements of research, design, data collection, and analysis. • Each student will submit his or her own report of the project.

Team Projects Expectations • The only things team project members work on together are the design, construction, and testing of the project device. • Each student will submit his or her own report of the project. • Be very particular when choosing to do a team project; Consider how busy you are outside of school; Consider the partner you choose and if your friendship is strong enough in case the project experiences difficulties along the way

Timeline & Guidelines • Students are expected to seek approval of their project options from their science teacher prior to the development of the project. • Students will receive detailed guidelines and a timeline shortly after approval of their topic. • Students will be expected to follow the timeline and turn drafts of the project report in periodically for review throughout the fall and spring semesters.

Oklahoma Engineering Fair Video Promo • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz6UFDQ 37Uc

Bridge Building Contest • Individual Project • Bridge Materials: Toothpicks & Elmer’s Wood or School (White) Glue • Must be free standing • Truss style bridge

Eiffel Tower Contest • • • • •

Team Project (2 Students) Tower Materials: Straws & Twist Ties Objective is to build tallest tower in 5 minutes Must hold a 1” x 6” x 36” piece of wood This project requires practice, practice, practice & teamwork

Electric Motor Contest • Individual Project • Motor Materials: From retail stores and mail order suppliers • Motor runs with help of dry cell battery and magnet • Difficult project to complete without knowing someone with electrical expertise (electrician/electrical engineer)

Electric Motor

Ping-Pong Ball Launcher Contest • Team Project (Two Students) • Launcher Materials: Mouse trap plus any additional materials; All parts of the mouse trap must be visible • Must launch ping pong balls into large cans 12 feet away • Total points scored in 3 minutes

Ping Pong Ball Launcher

Rubber Band Powered Vehicle Contest • Individual Project • Vehicle Materials: Can only be powered by rubber band; Wheels can be made of anything • Must be able to carry box of baking soda • Objective is to build vehicle that can travel the farthest in a straight line

Rubber Band Powered Vehicle

Wacky Wonder Works Contest • Team Project (Two or Three Students) • Project Materials: Unlimited possibility of materials as long as they are safe • Must be contained in specified area and easily moved • Objective last year was to open an umbrella; Prior years it was erase a mark on a chalkboard or dry erase board; zip a zipper; turn on a flashlight; Do not know yet what task this year will be • Also called a Rube Goldberg Machine

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w

Wacky Wonder Works

Topic Communication Form • Students taking 8th Grade Pre-AP General Science are required to complete an engineering fair project. • The engineering fair is sponsored by the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation (OEF). • This professional organization for engineers decides and sets all of the project design requirements students are expected to follow. • Their website outlines the project requirements for each specific project listed below. • You can go directly to the contest rules by going to the following website. www.oef.org or http://oef.org/programs/engineering-fair/contest-rules

Contest Rules • Be aware that the contest rules shown are from the 2016 competition. • The OEF will post updated rules for the 2017 competition later this fall. • The only change typically made is the final task of the Wacky Wonder Works contest.

Individual vs. Team Projects • Students can complete the project individually or with a team member(s) depending on the engineering project option chosen. • These options all require elements of research, design, data collection, and analysis. • The only things team project members work on together are the design, construction, and testing of the project device. • Each student will submit his or her own report of the project.

Timeline & Guidelines • Students will receive detailed guidelines and a timeline shortly after communication of their choice of topic to their teacher. • Students will be expected to follow the timeline and turn drafts of the project report in periodically for review throughout the fall and spring semesters.

Project Options Review • • • • • •

Bridge Building Contest – Individual Project Eiffel Tower Contest – Team Project; 2 Per Team Electrical Motor Contest – Individual Project Ping-Pong Ball Launcher Contest – Team Project; 2 Per Team Rubber Band-Powered Vehicle Contest – Individual Project Wacky Wonder Works Contest – Team Project; 2 or 3 Per Team

Team Projects Required Signature • Parent/Guardian Permission Section (If Completing Team Project) – Have your parent/guardian communicate below his/her permission to work with the partner named above in the team project of the engineering fair you have chosen to participate in.

Due Friday, September 23 • Topic Communication Form • Team project reminder: Parent/Guardian permission and signature required

Due Wednesday, October 12 • Rough Draft of –Purpose –Introduction –Summary of Research –Bibliography

General Guidelines • • • • • •

Must Be Typed 12 Point Font Times New Roman or Calibri Font Type Single Spaced No Personal Pronouns Use Correct Grammar, Spelling, & Punctuation • Label Each Section

Team Project Reminder • For those completing team projects, the only things you work together on are the design, construction, and testing of the project device. • The report you are in the process of completing should be done separately and should not be copies of each other. • Each section should be in your own words in the manner in which you each individually write and word process the material. • In other words, you will be working by yourself as you complete the purpose, introduction, summary of research, and bibliography sections.

Purpose • It should be in a complete sentence. • It should explain the purpose or goal of the contest. • Refer to the contest rules on the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation website as a resource. www.oef.org • Use correct grammar and spelling. • Example: – The purpose of the _________ contest is to . . .

Introduction • Include the requirements, constraints, and challenges the contest requires participants to adhere to in terms of design, construction, and testing. • An example that can be used to begin the introduction is: – There are a number of rules that must be followed in the __________ contest.

Introduction • Refer to the contest rules on the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation website as a resource. www.oef.org • The introduction should be at least five sentences in length. • Eliminate use of personal pronouns such as I, me, and we for a more professionally sounding section.

Bridge Introduction Ideas • • • •

Round or Square Toothpicks Elmer’s Wood Glue or Elmer’s School Glue No bundling of more than 3 toothpicks No longer than 24 inches; no wider than 3 inches; no taller than 8 inches; no heavier than 12 ounces • 1 5/16 inch pipe must be able to fit inside the bridge. • Judged based upon aesthetics and construction quality, structural efficiency, and load capacity.

Bridge Introduction Ideas Cont’d

Eiffel Tower Introduction Ideas • Straws with maximum diameter of ¼ inch; Maximum length of 10 inches; Maximum thickness of 1/100 inch • Wire (twist) ties can be used • 10 ft. x 10 ft. working area • One of two (no more than two) free standing structures can be built • No more than 10 straws can be bundled • Given at least one minute to set up materials • Given five minutes to build tower & place 1” x 6” x 24” board on top

Electric Motor Introduction Ideas • Non-rechargeable dry cell battery; Maximum voltage of 1.5 volts • Magnets may be used • No professionally manufactured components or kits allowed • Parts from retail store or internet order sources may be used • Must include at least a 1 inch disk • Test will involve (2) one minute timed runs

Electric Motor: 1 Inch Disk

Ping Pong Ball Launcher Introduction Ideas • Standard household mouse trap • Can modify mouse trap, but all original mousetrap parts must be visible • Targets will be three empty cans (size #10) placed on a table 12 feet away • Test will last for three minutes

Rubber Band Powered Vehicle Introduction Ideas • Only energy source can be from size #64 rubber band • Must be able to carry a 16 oz. box of baking soda • Will be tested on a 3 foot wide carpeted track • Up to 3 test runs in 5 minute time frame

Wacky Wonder Works Introduction Ideas • Must be self contained • Cannot exceed width of 2 feet, length of 6 feet, & height of 3 feet • 20 minutes given to set up device • 5 minutes given to test device; Can be tested/run two times • We do not yet know what challenge task will be

Wacky Wonder Works: Idea of Self Containment

Introduction Example • There are a number of rules that must be followed in the bridge building contest. The bridge can only be built using wood toothpicks and Elmer’s wood glue or Elmer’s school glue. The bridge can be no longer than 24 inches, no wider than 3 inches, and no taller than 8 inches. The bridge cannot exceed a weight of 12 ounces and a 1 and 5/16 inch pipe must be able to fit inside the bridge. The bridge will be judged based upon aesthetics and construction quality, structural efficiency, and load capacity.

Introduction Example #2 • There are a number of rules that must be followed in the Wacky Wonder Works contest. The mechanical machine can be made from a variety of materials. The machine must be able to fit on a table that is two feet wide and six feet long. The machine cannot be taller than 36 inches in height. The machine must be able to meet the design challenge within five minutes of activation to be considered successful.

Summary of Research • Summary of the research you collect. • Must be written in your own words, unless you use quotations or paraphrases. • Do not include an entire paragraph that is one big quote. • If plagiarism is suspected, you will receive a zero on this section. • Information must be relevant to your project.

Summary of Research • The research should be at least a page in length (A minimum of 32 sentences). • Make sure the information is separated into manageable paragraphs. • Eliminate use of personal pronouns such as I, me, and we for a more professionally sounding section.

Summary of Research: What does all this mean? • Find at least five articles on the internet about your project. • Read each article. • Summarize each article in a paragraph (roughly six or seven sentences). • You will end up with a summary of research that is easily 32 sentences.

Summary of Research Example Several articles were found that related to the __________ contest. These articles were about the history of _____, the science of _____, and ______ building tips. The first article was about the history of _____. (Mention at least three to four facts from the article at this point). The second article was about . . .

Bibliography • At least five sources. The more the better. • These can be from books, journals, encyclopedias, and websites.

Bibliography • The citations should be alphabetized based upon the first word that appears in the citation. • Use APA format. This is the format scientists use. See the research and bibliography information in the guidelines packet.

Conducting Research • Before you begin your project, you will need to find out some background information about your topic. • You should try to find out everything about your topic that you can by becoming an “expert” in this science area. • Researching the topic is vital and must be done as thoroughly as possible. • Conducting good research requires time, effort, and patience so make sure you make a commitment to do so.

Number of Sources • You must gather research from at least five different sources (science journals, books, internet sites, etc.). • The more sources you use, the better.

Bibliography • Make sure you keep track of the sources you collect in the form of a bibliography. • Make sure you use APA format. • This is a different format than what your English teachers use. • It is the citation style that scientists use. • You can utilize some websites to help you correctly make your citations. • The first is www.bibme.com. • The second is called citation machine. • This website can be accessed through the BJHS media center page or by going to the following address (http://citationmachine.net/).

Bibliography • You are encouraged to use articles from magazines or journals. • Books can also be a good reference. • If you use websites, make sure you verify the website is from a credible source (author) and it has been updated recently. • This information can be found at the bottom of the website. • Encyclopedia references are not considered major references so try to avoid these as much as possible.

Put In Own Words • Eventually, you will be asked to write a research section for your report which will be a summary of what you collected and read during the research process. • This must be written in your own words, unless you use quotations or paraphrases. • Do not include an entire paragraph that is one big quote. • If plagiarism is suspected, you will receive a zero on this section. • The research section should be at least a page in length (32 total sentences).

Brink Media Center Resources • You are encouraged to use EBSCO when conducting research. • It is a great resource that can help you locate articles from magazines and journals that are posted online. • It is also a useful site that can be accessed at home.

EBSCO • • • • • • • • • • •

www.mooreschools.com Click on Select a School; click on Brink Junior High Place cursor on Resources; click Resources under Counseling Center; click on Media Center. Click on Follett system Click on Brink Junior High Brink Media Center Home Page EBSCO Logon: bjhbobcats Password: bobcats Student Research Center SIRS Discoverer

Rules for Writing a Bibliography • Your reference list should appear at the end of your paper. • It provides the information necessary for a reader to locate and retrieve any source you cite in the body of the paper. • Each source you cite in the paper must appear in your reference list; likewise, each entry in the reference list must be cited somewhere in your text.

Rules for Writing a Bibliography • Your references should begin on a new page separate from the text of the essay/research paper. • Label this page References (with no quotation marks, underlining, etc.), centered at the top of the page.

Rules for Writing a Bibliography • All lines after the first line of each entry in your reference list should be indented one-half inch from the left margin. This is called hanging indentation. • Authors' names are inverted (last name first); give the last name and initials for all authors of a particular work unless the work has more than six authors. If the work has more than six authors, list the first six authors and then use “et al.” after the sixth author's name to indicate the rest of the authors. • Reference list entries should be alphabetized by the last name of the first author of each work.

Rules for Writing a Bibliography • If you have more than one article by the same author, single-author references, or multiple-author references with the exact same authors in the exact same order, they are listed in order by the year of publication, starting with the earliest. • When referring to any work that is NOT a journal, such as a book, article, or Web page, capitalize only the first letter of the first word of a title and subtitle, the first word after a colon or a dash in the title, and proper nouns. Do not capitalize the first letter of the second word in a hyphenated compound word.

Rules for Writing a Bibliography • Capitalize all major words in journal titles. • Italicize titles of longer works such as books and journals. • Do not italicize, underline, or put quotes around the titles of shorter works such as journal articles or essays in edited collections.

Example of a Bibliography How to cite a website using APA Last, F. M. (Year, Month Date Published). Article title. Retrieved from URL Weil, Annie. 1997, August 1). Geology: Plate Tectonics. Retrieved from http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/geology/tectonics.html

How to cite a magazine article in APA Last name, First name. “Article Title.” Magazine Title, Month Year of publication. Abercrombie, Thomas. “Wyoming.” National Geographic, January 1993.

Websites to Help w/ Citations • www.bibme.com • http://citationmachine.net/

Bridge Contest Research Ideas • • • • • •

History of Bridges Science of Bridges Bridge Building Bridge Building Designs Toothpick Bridge Building Tips Bridge Building Contest Tips or Techniques

Eiffel Tower Research Ideas • • • •

History of Towers Tower Building Tips or Techniques Straw Tower Designs Science of Tower Building

Electric Motor Research Ideas • • • •

History of Electric Motor Electric Motor Electric Motor Building Tips Science of Electric Motors

Ping-Pong Ball Launcher Research Ideas • History of the Catapult or Trebuchet • Ping-Pong Ball Launcher Building Tips, Techniques, or Designs • Science of Projectile Motion

Rubber Band-Powered Vehicle Research Ideas • History of Forces and Motion • Rubber Band-Powered Vehicle Building Tips, Techniques, Ideas, or Designs • Forces and Motion

Wacky Wonder Research Ideas • • • •

Rube Goldberg & Rube Goldberg Machines Rube Goldberg Machine Tips & Tricks Rube Goldberg Machine Ideas & Designs Action Reaction

Bibliography Practice

Book • • • • •

Author – Aaron Lerner Book Title – Einstein & Newton Publisher – Lerner Publications Place of Publication – Minneapolis Publication Date – 1973

Website • Author – National Severe Storms Laboratory • Title of Item (Website) – Tornadoes … Nature’s Most Violent Storm • Website Address – http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/NWSTTornado/ • Last Updated – March 13, 2002

Magazine/Journal Article • • • • • • •

Author – Jane Kane Title of Article – What Grizzlies Want Magazine – Sierra Volume – 87 Number – 4 Date – July/August 2002 Pages – 46 – 55

Due Wednesday, October 26 • Rough Draft of –Materials –Procedure –Project Diagram (Rough Draft Diagram Can Be Drawn By Hand)

General Guidelines • • • • • •

Must Be Typed 12 Point Font Times New Roman or Calibri Font Type Single Spaced No Personal Pronouns Use Correct Grammar, Spelling, & Punctuation • Label Each Section

Team Project Reminder • For those completing team projects, the only things you work together on are the design, construction, and testing of the project device. • The report you are in the process of completing should be done separately and should not be copies of each other. • Each section should be in your own words in the manner in which you each individually write and word process the material. • In other words, you may get together to plan out the design together, but each design must be in each individual’s own handwriting. You will write/type the materials and procedure on your own.

Materials • List all materials you think you will use. • Use a listing method (Bullets or 1, 2, 3) • Use a capital letter for the first word of each item listed. • Include the materials not only needed for the project, but also to test it. • Refer to the OEF website as a resource. • Indicate quantities, amounts, sizes, colors, etc. • Be specific!

Example of Materials •

Materials List – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Square Wood Toothpicks (Standard Restaurant Style) Carpenters Wood Glue One Metal Eye Bolt with ¼ inch diameter shaft, washers, and nut Block of Wood (2 ½ in x 2 ½ in x ½ in) Plastic PVC Pipe 1-5/16 in outside diameter ¼ inch diameter S hook 5 Gallon Plastic Bucket with Handle Two Tables Brass Weights Additional Weights (1 pound, 2.5 pounds, 5 pounds, 10 pounds) Wire Cutters to Cut Toothpicks Ruler Scale Camera

Procedures • Step by Step; Use a listing method (1, 2, 3) • Capitalize the first letter of the first word of each step. • No need to go into every detail how to construct your engineering product. Your project diagram will do this for you. – Include no more than five steps on how to build the engineering device.

• You do need to go into detail when listing the procedures used to test and analyze the effectiveness of the engineering product. – Include at least five steps on how to test and analyze the effectiveness of the engineering device.

Procedures Continued • Refer to the OEF website as a resource. • Be very specific and detailed. A stranger should be able to read your procedure and follow your project diagram just as you had performed it exactly. • Eliminate the use of personal pronouns such as I, me, and we for a more professionally sounding section.

Example Procedure • Procedures – Obtain the materials. – Construct the bridge following the specifications outlined in the project diagram. – Verify the length, width, height, and mass of the bridge are within the contest rules. – Set the bridge on two tables that are 20 inches apart. – Hang the plastic bucket onto the eye bolt using the S hook. – Add ½ pound of weight to the bucket. – Continue adding ½ pound of weight to the bucket until there is evidence of bridge failure. – Document the construction and testing of the bridge by taking photographs.

Project Diagram • Include a detailed diagram or sketch of the project. • Include labels when appropriate. • The rough draft of the diagram can be done using a pencil or pen. • The revised (January) & final draft (March) of the diagram is expected to be done using a computer drawing program. • If you do not have a drawing program on your computer, the following website has free software that can be downloaded and used to complete the project diagram. http://www.autodesk.com/education/home

Example Project Diagram

Wacky Wonder Works Diagram

This diagram would need labels added to it!

Sometime in November Must be completed before Dec 2! • Construct Prototype (Initial Project Device) • Take photos of the construction phase and the initial testing – You must be in the construction photos. – Must have one photo showing you constructing initial project – The Photo will need to include a caption describing the photo

Bridge Contest Rules • Round or Square Toothpicks • Elmer’s Wood Glue or Elmer’s School Glue • No longer than 24 inches; no wider than 3 inches; no taller than 8 inches; no heavier than 12 ounces • 1 5/16 inch pipe must be able to fit inside the bridge.

Bridge Contest Rules

Bridge Contest Design Ideas

Eiffel (Straw) Tower Contest Rules • • • •

• • •

• • •

Straws with maximum diameter of ¼ inch; Maximum length of 10 inches; Maximum thickness of 1/100 inch Wire (twist) ties can be used 10 ft. x 10 ft. working area One of two (no more than two) free standing structures can be built No more than 10 straws can be bundled Given at least one minute to set up materials Given five minutes to build tower & place 1” x 6” x 24” board on top Have straws and wire set up beforehand Height will be recorded; Measured from the bottom of board to the ground Practice, practice, practice beforehand

Electric Motor Contest Rules • Non-rechargeable dry cell battery; Maximum voltage of 1.5 volts • Magnets may be used • No professionally manufactured components or kits allowed • Parts from retail store or internet order sources may be used • Must include at least a 1 inch disk • Test will involve (2) one minute timed runs

Electric Motor Example

Ping Pong Ball Launcher Contest Rules • Standard household mouse trap • Can modify mouse trap, but all original mousetrap parts must be visible • Targets will be three empty cans (size #10) placed on a table 12 feet away • Test will last for three minutes

Ping Pong Ball Launcher

Rubber Band Powered Vehicle Contest Rules • Only energy source can be from size #64 rubber band • Must be able to carry a 16 oz. box of baking soda • Will be tested on a 3 foot wide carpeted track • Up to 3 test runs in 5 minute time frame

Rubber Band Powered Vehicle

Wacky Wonder Works Contest Rules • Cannot exceed width of 2 feet, length of 6 feet, & height of 3 feet • 20 minutes given to set up device • 5 minutes given to test device; Can be tested/run two times • Must be self contained; Must be able to pick up entire device all at once • Number of successful actions will be recorded

Wacky Wonder Works

Due Wednesday, December 14 • Data Table and Bar Graph • One Photograph of Construction w/ Caption

Team Project Reminder • For those completing team projects, the only things you work together on are the design, construction, and testing of the project device. • The report you are in the process of completing should be done separately and should not be copies of each other. • Each section should be in your own words in the manner in which you each individually write and word process the material. • In other words, you are expected to complete the data table, bar graph, and photograph sections individually.

Data Table & Graph • One data table and one bar graph will need to be made. • Must be done using a computer graphing program. They look much neater! • Correctness in labeling the data table and graph will be graded. • They should include the data collected from the initial and final testing of the project.

Data Table & Graph • Only one trial from the initial testing needs to be recorded and presented in the data table and graph, except for the rubber band powered vehicle contest which will be tested three times and the electric motor which will be tested two times. • Only one trial from the final testing at the school engineering fair needs to be recorded and presented in the data table and graph, except for the rubber band powered vehicle contest which will be tested three times at the school engineering fair and the electric motor which will be tested two times. • The data from the initial testing of the project will be collected during school on December 2. The data from the final testing of the project will be collected at the district’s engineering fair on January 25.

Bridge Building Contest Measurements Initial Length (in) Initial Width (in) Initial Height (in) Initial Mass (oz.) Final Length (in) Final Width (in) Final Height (in) Final Mass (oz.) Amount of Weight Held (lbs.)

Eiffel Tower Contest Trial Initial Test Final Test

Height (Inches)

Electric Motor Contest Trial Initial Test 1 Initial Test 2 Final Test 1 Final Test 2

Rotation Speed (rpm’s)

Ping Pong Ball Launcher Contest Trial Initial Test Final Test

Total Points

Rubber Band Vehicle Contest Trial Initial 1 Initial 2 Initial 3 Initial Average Final 1 Final 2 Final 3 Final Average

Distance (Feet)

Wacky Wonder Works Contest Trial Initial Test Final Test

Successful Actions (Number)

Bar Graphs • Include title • Include labels on the x-axis and the y-axis

Bridge Building Contest

Bar Graphs for Other Contests • Place on dry erase board

Photographs • Include at least two photographs of the project with captions. • One of the photographs must be from the construction of the prototype or initial device. • One of the photographs must be from the construction of the final product or device. • The captions do not need to be in complete sentences, but should describe what each photograph is showing. • Eliminate use of personal pronouns such as I, me, and we for a more professionally sounding section.

Example of Photograph Section

Adding an action to the Wacky Wonder Work device

Sometime in December or January • Construct Final Project Device or Make Changes to Prototype (Initial Project Device) • Take Photos of the final construction phase • You must be in some of the photos

Due Wednesday, January 18 • Revised Draft of Materials, Procedure, and Project Diagram • Project diagram must be completed using a computer program.

District Engineering Fair Wednesday, January 25 MNTC South Penn Campus • 8th grade PreAP science students are expected to attend and participate in the district engineering fair.

District Engineering Fair • Bridge Building Contest – The top five individual entries from the school at the district engineering fair will move onto the state engineering fair.

• Eiffel Tower Contest – The top four team entries from the school at the district engineering fair will move onto the state engineering fair.

District Engineering Fair • Electric Motor Contest – The top three individual entries from the school at the district engineering fair will move onto the state engineering fair.

• Ping Pong Ball Launcher Contest – The top three team entries from the school at the district engineering fair will move onto the state engineering fair.

District Engineering Fair • Rubber Band Powered Vehicle Contest – The top three individual entries from the school at the district engineering fair will move onto the state engineering fair.

• Wacky Wonder Works Contest – The top four team entries from the school at the district engineering fair will move onto the state engineering fair.

Bridge Building Contest Materials • Only standard restaurant size toothpicks (square or round; 2.75 inches; tapered ends) should be used. • Only Elmer’s Carpenters wood glue or Elmer’s school glue should be used. • Toothpicks may be cut or glued. Greater than 50% of each toothpick must be visible (no more than three toothpicks can be bundled together). • Student should have an eye bolt with ¼” diameter shaft, washers, and nut. • Student should have a loading block with dimensions not to exceed 3” x 3” x ½”. The block is used to attach the eye bolt to the bridge.

Bridge Building Contest Materials • Materials list of brand and type of glue and toothpicks should be brought to contest. Students are even encouraged to bring the bottles of glue/boxes of toothpicks with them in the event that any questions arise as to the construction materials. • The eye bolt must be located in the center of the bridge. It should be attached to the loading block. The loading block should sit on the top of the roadbed, but should not be attached (glued) to the bridge. Bottom of the eye bolt must protrude a minimum of 1” but not more than 2” below the end supports of the bridge.

Bridge Building Contest Geometry • • • • •

Length = 24” (+/- ½”) Width = 3” (+/- ½”) Height = Maximum of 8” (excluding eye bolt) Weight = Maximum 12 oz. (excluding eye bolt) Roadbed = Bridge must have flat roadbed. Area above roadbed must accommodate a 15/16” outside diameter pipe.

Eiffel Tower Materials • Firm or flex type drinking straws are allowed. • Maximum inside diameter of the straw is ¼”. Maximum length is 10”. Maximum wall thickness is 0.01”. • Floral wire, bread wrapper, or garbage bag wire ties should be no more than 4” in length. • Straws can be cut or holes punched beforehand to assist in assembly. • One 1 x 6 piece of wood (must be solid) that is at least 24 inches long.

Eiffel Tower Rules & Remarks • Students must place the board prior to the end of the five-minute construction time limit. • Height of the tower will be measured from the lowest part of the board to the floor. • Teams will be given a 10 ft. x 10 ft. working area. • One or two (no more than two) free standing structures are allowed. • No more than ten straws may be bundled together.

Electric Motor Materials • The motor should be powered by a non-rechargeable dry cell battery. The maximum voltage is 1.5 volts. A single flashlight battery up to D size may be used. • Readily available permanent magnets may be used. • A design drawing and parts list indicating the source (vendor), cost, and fabrication operations for each part must accompany the motor. • There must be a 1” or larger diameter disc attached to one of the motor shaft and painted black (on the outside) so that a reflective tape marker may be readily displayed and viewed by the device that measures the motor’s speed.

Electric Motor Rules • It is strongly advised to have the 1” disk already attached to the shaft with a 3/16” square piece of reflective tape attached at the outer edge of the disc ahead of time. • The battery may be replaced between the first and second trial. • No more than one minute may elapse between the end of the first timed run and the beginning of the second timed run.

Ping Pong Ball Launcher Contest Reminders • Only the tension of one standard household mousetrap can be used as the force to shoot the ping pong balls. No rat traps are allowed. • All original parts of the mousetrap must be visible, whether functional or not! • The launcher may be hand-held but must rest on top of the table during launches.

Rubber Band Powered Vehicle Info • Only energy source permitted is the elastic energy of one rubber band, size #64. The rubber band will be provided by the contest judges. The rubber band may not be cut. • The one pound load (box of baking soda) will be provided by the contest judges. • Up to three runs will be permitted within a five minute time frame. Repairs and adjustments will be permitted between runs.

Wacky Wonder Works Contest Rules • The machine must be self-contained and will be up on a table. Table dimensions will be at least two feet wide by six feet in length. The machine must not be taller than 36 inches in height and no portion of the machine may extend beyond or below the tabletop. • The team will be given twenty minutes to set up, adjust, and test their machine. • The machine must complete the task within five minutes. If the design challenge is not completed the first time, a second attempt may be initiated. • The umbrella used (even when opened) must adhere to the dimension requirements of the machine.

Due Friday, February 10 • Revised draft of data table and graph and one photograph (with caption) of final design • Rough draft of conclusion, acknowledgements, and abstract

Team Project Reminder • For those completing team projects, the only things you work together on are the design, construction, and testing of the project device. • The report you are in the process of completing should be done separately and should not be copies of each other. • Each section should be in your own words in the manner in which you each individually write and word process the material. • In other words, you may get together to plan out the design together, but each design must be in each individual’s own handwriting. You will write/type the conclusion, acknowledgements, and abstract on your own.

General Guidelines • • • • • •

Must Be Typed 12 Point Font Times New Roman or Calibri Font Type Single Spaced No Personal Pronouns Use Correct Grammar, Spelling, & Punctuation • Label Each Section

Conclusion • Explain what the results of the testing of your project were, both initial and final. • Explain whether the project or device was a success or not. • Include suggested improvements that could make the device or process even more successful. • Use past tense. • Should be at least five sentences in length. • Eliminate use of personal pronouns such as I, me, and we for a more professionally sounding section.

Acknowledgements • Thank those who helped through part or all of the project. • Include names and how each person helped you. • You can use personal pronouns in this section.

Abstract • This is a summary of your entire project. It should be 200 words or less. • Begin by restating the purpose. • Include a summary of your procedure. • Include a summary of your results/conclusion. • Use past tense (verb usage). • The abstract should be placed on the title page.

Due Friday, February 24 • Revised Draft of Entire Lab Report Due Including Title Page and Table of Contents – Title Page should include • Title Page is Page 1 of Report • Catchy Title, Name, School, Grade, Graphic, & Abstract – Table of Contents • Table of Contents is Page 2 of Report • List all the sections in order starting with the purpose and ending with the bibliography • Include the page numbers the sections can be found

Team Project Reminder • For those completing team projects, the only things you work together on are the design, construction, and testing of the project device. • The report you are in the process of completing should be done separately and should not be copies of each other. • Each section should be in your own words in the manner in which you each individually write and word process the material.

General Guidelines • • • • • • • • •

Must Be Typed 12 Point Font Times New Roman or Calibri Font Type Single Spaced No Personal Pronouns Use Correct Grammar, Spelling, & Punctuation Label Each Section Number all Pages More than one section can and should be on each page

Order of Report • Title Page w/ Abstract (Page 1) • Table of Contents (Page 2) • Purpose • Introduction • Summary of Research • Materials • Procedure

• Project Diagram • Photographs (with captions) • Data Table & Bar Graph • Conclusion • Acknowledgements • Bibliography

Due Thursday, March 9 • Final Draft of Engineering Fair Project Report • Only hard copy reports will be accepted – Do not e-mail the final draft or share it with me using Google Drive