Description
As part of our midterm exam,our team needed to design and test a machine that would fling a cotton ball as far as possible. our team was given a choice of materials that included straws, rubber bands, tape, tongue depressors, a spoon, cotton balls, etc. Our constraints were time and materials. We could only use so many of a given material, and we had two days to complete the project. The machine should be sturdy, durable, and reusable.
Process
![Picture](/uploads/4/5/0/1/45014017/_9866089.jpg)
The project was for the midterm exam, and it counted for 30% of our grade. First we researched ideas online and formulated our own. Then we selected the best parts from the designs we came up with, to make our first prototype. We tested the prototype and found that the distance decreased the more we used it, so we made the second prototype sturdier by reinforcing the base and pillars with pipe cleaners. That prototype also decreased in distance over time. The third prototype we moved the pillars forward to increase forward momentum. It didn't go as far as the the first two prototypes, but it was more precise, sturdy, and easy to operate, so we chose that as our final design. We knew that the second design went the farthest, because in the data it had the largest mean, but the third design was the most precise because it ad the smallest range, so we decided upon the third design. We also chose the third design because it scored highest on the decision matrix. We chose the materials we did to make the prototypes because of a few factors. The straws we chose because those we unlimited. The spoon we chose because we needed something to hold the cotton ball. The tongue depressors we chose because the we sturdy, the rubber bands to increase elasticity, and the pipe cleaners and grip clips to reinforce anything that was too weak.
Self Assessment
I think we could have optimized the design if we had stronger materials and more time. I think it worked well because it was built sturdily and had a good amount of launching power. Maybe we could have tried lowering the spoon so it launched at a more horizontal angle. I contributed the idea for the third prototype that we should move the seat and pillars up to increase durability and forward momentum. I think the team could have been more effective if we weren't so rushed with the whole project.