Learning Activty 2
Designing and constructing a 'solar-powered' vehicle
Overview
Students will demonstrate an understanding of engineering principles and systems by designing and constructing a solar-powered vehicle that can travel a specific distance. This will be made from materials such as cardboard, bottle caps etc. There must be a resource that simulates the weight and shape of a solar panel (longer piece of cardboard or trading card)
Learning outcome
Students will demonstrate an understanding of engineering principles and systems by designing and constructing a solar-powered vehicle that can travel a specific distance.
Content Descriptors
Investigate how electrical energy can control movement, sound, or light in a designed product or system (ACTDEK032)
Generate, develop, and communicate design ideas and decisions using appropriate technical terms and graphical representation techniques (ACTDEP036)
Procedure
1. Introduce the concept of engineering principles and systems, focusing on energy transfer and renewable energy sources.
2. Discuss the benefits of solar energy and its application in vehicles.
3. Present a real-world problem, such as designing a solar-powered vehicle that can travel a specific distance.
4. In groups, students brainstorm and sketch their vehicle designs, considering the energy transfer and suitable materials.
5. Students build their solar-powered vehicles using materials like cardboard, wheels, and a small solar panel.
6. Each group presents their vehicle design, explaining the engineering principles applied and how they solved the real-world problem.
7. Students test their vehicles by measuring the distance they can travel using solar energy.
8. Students reflect on their designs, discussing what worked well and what could be improved.
To demonstrate learning, students need to:
- Present a well-designed solar-powered vehicle that can travel the specified distance.
- Explain the engineering principles applied in their design. - Participate in the testing and measurement of other groups' vehicles.
- Reflect on their design process and suggest improvements.
Sample
