TECHNOLOGY AND ENTERPRISE

Task:

Design and build a solar powered model boat to compete in a state-wide competition. The 3 fastest boats to compete in the International Challenge to be held in Sydney in early December. All expenses for the first 2 places to be covered by Western Power.

 

Criteria:

• Age up to and including 13 years
• Cost of boat not to exceed $50 (not including solar panels)
• Cost of motor not to exceed $20
• Boat size not to be larger than dimensions 550mm x300mm
• Solar cell area not to exceed maximum of 350cm squared
• Propeller (underwater) to be within a maximum size of 4cm
• Propeller ( air type) not specified
• Hull(s) to be constructed not bought ready made or moulded
• Schools entering more than one boat to have different styled hulls on each boat
• No storage devices for power
• Must have an on/off switch
• Must have a cover for the solar cells
• School name and boat name to be clearly displayed on boat
• Team members to understand and participate in the design, construction and testing of the boat
• An A2 size poster outlining boat design, construction and testing to be submitted for scrutiny prior to competing
• A team journal to provide the detailed design process and testing will be assessed

Term 3

 

Room 16 and 17 students were allowed to choose one or two other students to collaborate with on the project.  

Brainstorming of ideas for the boat design and research via internet, library and local business connections/parents were the starting point.

Students were given the opportunity to learn about energy through a workshop provided by World of Energy.

They also used class time to explore solar energy in particular, by experimenting with a variety of solar panels and wiring them up to fans, bells, lights etc. They also learned about the source of this energy and its conversion.

The teams were guided through the planning, making, evaluating and when necessary, modifying their designs.

Materials were discussed, collected and trialled. Recycled materials were encouraged to be utilised.

 

 

 

 

Bradley getting information from the internet about boat designs and ideas.	Also Nikita is sending an email to the crew of Sun21 to tell them about our project and ask a few questions about their project.

Quietly working on the deck of their boat and having a fun time doing it.	Sprinters moment of truth, will it sink or will it float… and it floats. Well done Melanie and Nora.	Melanie and Nora won a special manager’s award from the World of Energy for having the best team spirit and behaving in an exemplary way.

At Ellery's pool As the date neared for the competition, testing of all the completed boats was required in order to select the entrants. As only a maximum of 3 boats per school was allowed, it was a difficult decision to eliminate the slower boats.  One of the parents invited us to use their swimming pool for this purpose.

State Finals

Our boats were not competitive against the speed of the boats which had used components from overseas and gears to optimise their efficiency. However it was a useful experience for the students to reflect on, in order to plan for better outcomes in future projects.

Making sure that the boat is connected to the guide string.
Hannah, Maddy and Ava posing for the camera in the pits with their boat The Pearl.	Kari, Gemma and Zoë holding up their journal for the 2006 Solar Boat Challenge.

Sharing the Learning

Journals were an important part of recording our investigations and results of testing.

Library Display

The Posters, along with the Journals, helped other students to work out how and why the different boats were designed and built as they were.

A lot of the boats were on display as well.

The following websites were all useful sites for us during our investigations for the Solar Challenge. westernpower   Model Boat Challenge  for all of the conditions of entry. MODEL POWER BOAT ASSOCIATION - SOLAR MODELS     http://www.solarnavigator.net/solar_model_boats.htm  M o d e l  S o l a r  P o w e r e d  B o a t s    http://www.pluggingintothesun.org.uk/boat.htm Scorpio Technology   http://www.scorpiotechnology.com.au/solarpricelist.shtml CSIRO's Double Helix    http://www.csiro.au/helix/experiments/dhmsbrboat.shtml