PASTA CAR RACE

ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS

Jan KibbeSTEM Middle Academy

60 Alton St. Springfield, MA 01109

PASTA CAR INTRODUCTION This PowerPoint include the steps to the Engineering Design Process you will use to construct Pasta Cars that we will race down a ramp at the May Community Meeting. The Pasta Car that travels the farthest down a ramp made from cardboard tri-fold boards will be the winner of the CyberHawk trophy!

PASTA CAR INTRODUCTION (CONT.) Watch an introductory video at Design Squad: http://pbskids.org/designsquad/topbuilder/2/

PASTA AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CAR

Spaghetti Ziti

Wheels Lasagna

7 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide

You may use additional pasta from home but your entire car MUST be built

from past ONLY!

STEP 1 – UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM Your Crew must make at least 1 but no

more than 3 cars made entirely out of pasta to race at the community meeting.

STEP 1 – UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM (CONT.)Have 2-3 Crew members restate the problem.What do you have to do?You can’t solve a problem if you don’t fully understand it.

STEP 2 - BRAINSTORMING Brainstorm ideas Sketch your ideas Share sketches with the Crew

Select the best ideas for your build

$1.48 ea.$.79 ea.

5 for $.54 2 for $.62

Purchase your pasta pieces

Quantity

Pasta Type Unit Price Total Price

Spaghetti 5 for $.59Ziti 2 for $.62Wheels $.75 eachLasagna $1.48 each

Your Crew is being given virtual $12.00 for your pasta supplies. Complete the order form and submit it to Mrs. Kibbe’s Crew to receive your pasta.

Total of Supplies Amount Left Over$ $

STEP 3 - RESEARCH Research to see what others have done

constructing pasta cars. Look on the internet.

STEP 4 – BUILD A PROTOTYPE

Construct a prototype. This is your first attempt at solving the problem.

Materials• I have been collecting cardboard boxes

from the Cafeteria but don’t have enough for every Crew yet. Perhaps you have a box or bin you can use to keep your pasta cars and materials safe and sound.

• I have some glue guns Crews can borrow but I don’t have enough for everyone. Hopefully some of you have your own glue gun or could grab one at the Dollar Store.

• WARNING: Pasta is FRAGILE – handle with care because there will be no extra pasta available.

STEP 5 - TEST Test the model Does it drive straight? Do the wheels spin freely? Is it too heavy?

STEP 6 - REDESIGN Continue to redesign, test and evaluate

your vehicle until it is ready to compete.

CLARIFYING QUESTIONS Submit any clarifying questions to Mrs.

Kibbe at kibbej@sps.springfield.ma.us or call Swag Crew @ extension 1117 during Crew time.