Bow High School
Math, Science, and Technology
1 - 2” x 4” x 8” Pine 4 - 1/8” x 1/8” x 18” Balsa 1 - ¼” dowel 12” long 1- ½”X 6” X 6” plywood
4 - Paper clips 4 - Elastic bands 1 - Sheet of cardboard paper 8 ½ ” x 11”
Band Saw Jig Saw Drill Press Hand-tools Glue Tape
Welcome to the world of crash test dummies! You have been hired by GM (General Motors Corporation) to design and produce a concept car for the twenty-first century. “There is a renewed energy at General Motors. It is evident in our operating performance, competitiveness, products, brands and employees,” said John F. Smith, Jr., Chairman, CEO, and President of GM. It is Smith’s goal and your job to design, produce, and test a passenger vehicle using only the excess materials left over from GM’s most recent production of the “Chevrolet Tahoe”. Not only does your design have to be appealing to consumers; it must also be safe and affordable.
Working in groups of two, research, design and produce a passenger vehicle using only the supplied materials. By using only the limited materials supplied you’re already well on your way to producing an affordable vehicle. Your efforts should now be focused on safety. In particular, “passenger safety.” In two weeks your completed vehicle will be sent to the crash test sight to be evaluated. In order to be properly prepared and eligible for the test you must adhere to the project objectives, limitations and specifications. If you are unsure or have and questions about your eligibility please ask a senior official (Todd).
· Research similar non-powered vehicles in motion and passenger constraints.
· Test and research the egg shape and structure--two dome shapes pushed together--what makes it resistant to compression?
· Construct a vehicle using the given materials that will carry a passenger (egg) over a distance with the fastest velocity without causing injury (cracked egg) or death (broken egg) to the passenger.
· The vehicle may not be larger than 4” wide by 6” long by 8” high or 4” wide by 8” long by 6” high.
· The vehicle must have wheels.
· The vehicle must carry an uncooked egg (passenger) during the crash test. The egg will be supplied to each group immediately before the test begins and must be returned undamaged at the end of each test.
· The egg must remain securely in the vehicle when the vehicle is tilted 45 degrees from horizontal in
· any direction.
· The vehicle can not be factory made.
· All of the materials supplied must be used! No other materials may be used.
· The vehicle can not be powered by any means except the incline it rolls off.
· The vehicle must be safe to contestants and spectators (no sharp edges, projectiles, etc.).
· The vehicle will crash into a cinderblock (must hit for credit run.).
Crash Test Conduct
1. Each vehicle will be placed on the starting line at the beginning of each race and will role down the
incline without any help.
2. Any push start will result in disqualification.
3. Not hitting the block will result in disqualification from test trial.
4. All vehicles will start when the official signal is given.
5. The senior officials will evaluate the egg and determine if injury or death has occurred.
Evaluation
Use of class time/lab time 40%
Creativity, Design & Appearance 35%
Crashworthiness 10%
Overall Safety 10%
Limitations & Specifications 5%