> Making a plan
This medium-term challenge is taken from the
Creative Challenge guide entitled Relevez le défi,
published by the Conseil de développement du loisir scientifique (CDLS)
All high school students
Key words: Aerodynamics
Space:
 Planning
and construction: Indoors
Test
flight: Outdoors
Minimum participants: 2 |
 |
 |
Your mission |
Architecture is fascinating.
But how easy is it to draw up a plan? Is it easier to work with
a plan that was developed by someone else? It’s all a matter
of precision and clarity.
This challenge has no mission; it is up to you to create
one. |
|
 |
The challenge |
You have 30 minutes to draw up a clear plan
and hand it over to an opposing team. This team will, in turn, provide
you with a plan. Then you have 30 minutes to build the object, using only
the materials specified in the plan!
In this challenge, the object is a plane, no larger than 20 cm x 20 cm
x 20 cm which, when thrown, will travel a distance of 3 m in a straight
line.
You can exchange plans
for a number of projects (e.g. houses, bridges, towers). It’s up
to you to choose.
 |
Materials |
Cardboard
Tape
Newspaper
Modelling
clay
10 wooden
skewers
Note that the same materials must be used in the plan and to build
the plane.
 |
A few rules |
There are several ways to approach this type of challenge.
We will suggest one way in order to better illustrate how it works.
|
Specify the dimensions and the materials to be used at the outset, in this case a plane. We strongly suggest establishing a time limit for drawing up the plan of the model to be built. |
|
Visualize and draw up a plan of a plane on paper. Given the time constraints, you are not required to draw the plan to scale. The aim is to be able to draw up a clear plan. |
|
Once the 30 minutes are up, exchange plans and build a plane according to the plan that you have been given. |
|
Exchanging plans is what makes this challenge a guaranteed success. |
|
Proceed methodically by reading the plan, discussing it with others and building the plane according to the plan. You must follow instructions as closely as possible. Construction time: 30 minutes. |
 |
Test flight |
|
A member of each team must fly their plane and the distance traveled is then measured. |
|
Once every team has had at least one test flight, you can make improvements to your plane. |
|
Determine what knowledge you have acquired. |
|
The aim is not to declare a winner, but to acquire knowledge through a fun activity.
|
 |
The science behind the challenge |
This activity explores
aerodynamics. But in addition to providing you with scientific knowledge,
this exercise involves communication, imagination and teamwork. By drawing
up and carrying out a plan, you will be able to assess your knowledge
about a given topic.
 |
Want to know more? |
Do a library or on-line search using the key
words at the beginning of this challenge.
 |
Click on the icon to access the printable PDF format version.* |
|
 |
Click on the icon to send a message to a friend. |
|
> Mousetrap
This medium-term challenge is taken from the
Creative Challenge guide entitled Relevez le défi, published by the Conseil de développement du loisir scientifique (CDLS)
Primarily intended for Secondary IV and V
Key words: Potential energy, kinetic energy, energy transfer
Space: Large area, such as a corridor, to set up racing
lanes |
 |
|
Your mission |
|
Like in the movie “Honey, I shrunk
the kids!”, you find yourself reduced to the size of a mouse.
Thinking that there are mice in the house, your father sets several
mousetraps. Outsmart him by using the traps to leave the house. |
|
The challenge |
You must build a rolling vehicle that is
propelled using the energy from the spring of a mousetrap. The vehicle
must travel the longest distance possible in a straight line.
|
Materials |
Mousetraps
(no other type of trap is allowed, e.g. rat trap)
1 tape measure
Coloured
tape
Cardboard
(if you want to set up several racing lanes)
1 stopwatch
(optional)
|
No electric motors, elastic bands, chemical reactions, magnets, use of gravity or balloons are allowed |
|
A few rules |
You
must build the vehicle from scratch.
There are
no specified dimensions for the vehicles.
|
The spring from the mousetrap is the only device that can be used to propel the vehicle. |
|
Use the mousetrap as a launch ramp to propel the vehicle. The mousetrap can remain attached to the vehicle. |
|
Once propelled by the mousetrap, the vehicle must roll on the ground and not fly through the air. |
|
Your vehicle must roll on a flat surface (e.g. ceramic, tile, cement or hardwood floor). |
|
The test |
Use
the tape to create a starting line.
|
The area behind the starting line must be large enough to accommodate the vehicle and at least two participants. |
|
If you set up several racing lanes, simply use strong cardboard folded in triangles to separate them. |
You have
only one try to make your car go.
You have
three minutes to place your vehicle in the racing lane.
Once the
spring has been released, you can no longer intervene.
The vehicle
that travels the longest distance will be declared the winner.
|
In the event of a tie, the vehicle that travels the longest distance in the shortest time will be declared the winner |
|
You can also take the vehicles’ stability into account. In that case, the vehicle that travels the longest distance in a straight line can be considered the winner, as opposed to another vehicle that travels the same distance, but in a crooked line. |
You can
then make changes to your vehicles.
|
The science behind the challenge |
What makes this challenge so interesting is that
its simple. It also applies the concept of energy transfer, which
is not explored much in the other challenges.
|
Want to know more? |
Do a library or on-line search using the key words at the beginning of this challenge.
|
Click on the icon to access the printable PDF format version.* |
|
|
Click on the icon to send a message to a friend. |
|
> Endangered treasures
This medium-term challenge is taken from the
Creative Challenge guide entitled Relevez le défi, published by the Conseil de développement du loisir scientifique (CDLS)
All high school students
Key words: Mechanisms, automation, robotics
Space: Large room or outdoors |
 |
|
Your mission |
|
The villagers thought their treasure was
safe. They had built a hiding place at the centre of the village
to house their most prized possessions: fine silks, jewels, perfume
and jars of herbs from faraway lands. They had dug a deep trench
all around it, thinking that nobody could get in. |
But a traitor uncovered the secret hiding place.
One night, vandals managed to fill the trench with burning coal, endangering
the valuables. How can the villagers save their treasures while the village
is being attacked from all around. Can
you help?
|
The challenge |
You must build a mechanical device that can
be operated within a height of 3 m and that is able to grasp within a
3-minute period as many items as possible located in an enclosed area,
1 m from the device. You will earn points for each item collected. Points
vary according to the difficulty of grasping each item.
|
Materials |
Wide
tape, preferably coloured
1 stopwatch
accurate to 0.01 second
1 table
to record results
2 1-m poles
1 metal
or wooden bar to connect the 2 poles (3 m of cord can also be used)
20 items
of various masses, textures and sizes
|
A few rules |
The mechanical device must:
Be
built entirely by participants.
Use
a 9-V battery only, if necessary.
|
Be able to grasp one or more items and carry them over to Zone A fully intact. |
|
Be able to be modified while in operation, taking the maximum time allocated into account. |
|
You must operate your mechanical device in Zone A and try to pick up items located in Zone C. |
|
Zones A and C are the same size - 2 m x 3 m. |
|
Ensure that the device does not exceed the 3-m width. |
|
Ensure that the device and its operator remain within the 2-m limits of Zone A. The device must not extend beyond the 2-m limits of Zone C. |
|
In other words, you must operate the device within a 3-m x 5-m area, bearing in mind that Zone B is off limits. |
|
Zone B, which measures 1 m x 3 m, is off limits. Any items that are dropped into this zone will be disqualified. |
|
A wall that is 1 m tall and 3 m wide will be erected between Zones B and C. The wall is hollow in the middle, has one pole at either end and a rod across the top. |
|
The items you choose should have different masses (up to 1 kg), as well as various shapes and textures. |
|
Obviously, you can decide on the number and type of objects to place in Zone C. If you take on the challenge with friends, we strongly suggest that you put tape on the ground to indicate the type and location of the objects in order to be fair to all. |
 |
Sample items and corresponding points |
Plastic
cup: 50 points
Stuffed
animal: 10 points
Balloon:
500 points
Aluminum
can: 100 points
Plastic-coated
paper clip: 100 points
Tennis ball:
250 points
Water-filled
balloon: 400 points
1-kg box
of salt: 500 points
T-shirt:
200 points
Dish containing
a freezer gel pack: 350 points
Glass marble
measuring 30 mm in diameter: 200 points
Pencil with
an eraser at one end: 75 points
30-cm x
4-cm plastic ruler: 5 points
|
The test |
Take
15 minutes to examine the items to be picked up.
You have
three minutes to pick up as many items as you possibly can.
|
Your device can be modified while in operation, taking the time limit into account. |
|
Only one person should operate the device in Zone A with both feet on the ground. |
|
Make sure your arms do not extend beyond the limits of the zones while operating your device. |
|
Saty in Zone A only while operating the device, even if your position varies. |
|
All items that go beyond Zone C or that are dropped into Zone B will be removed from the competition. |
|
Any item held by the device at the 3-minute limit may be delivered to Zone A and be counted, provided it has not been damaged. If the device holds no items at the end of the three minutes, you must stop immediately. |
|
Once the time is up, add up the number of items and calculate the corresponding points. |
|
In the event of a tie between two players, the number of items collected could be counted. |
|
If there is still a tie, choose other items or opt for a final 1-minute round. |
|
The science behind the challenge |
|
Given the number of possible solutions, this challenge requires imagination rather than scientific knowledge. |
|
Since this challenge can involve an electrical system powered by a 9-V battery, it can lead to a robotics project. |
|
Want to know more? |
Do a library or on-line search using the key words at the beginning of this challenge.
|
Click on the icon to access the printable PDF format version.* |
|
|
Click on the icon to send a message to a friend. |
|
> Golf ball wall
This medium-term challenge is taken from the
Creative Challenge guide entitled Relevez le défi, published by the Conseil de développement du loisir scientifique (CDLS)
All high school students
Key words: Mechanical energy, force and motion
Space: Large area such as basement or corridor |
 |
|
Your mission |
|
Your uncle is forever talking about his
remarkable golfing abilities. You decide to really show him by inventing a
device that will guarantee a hole-in-one every time. |
|
The challenge |
You must build a device that can project
a golf ball weighing an average of 45.5 g ± 0.5 g from a starting
table to a target table. As it travels from one table to the other, the
ball will have to pass through three hoops, as illustrated below.
| You can use a hollow plastic ball
equal to the size of a golf ball. A hollow ball won't damage anything if
you should involuntarily hit a target other than the one you were
aiming for. |
 |
|
Materials |
|
2 identical tables measuring 1 m x 1 m x 76 cm high. If this size unavailable, use 2 other identical tables. |
3 hoops
measuring 30 cm in diameter
Coloured
tape
1 tape measure
5 kg of
sand
String to
suspend the hoops
1 wooden
dowel or metal rod 1.5 m long
|
1 golf ball or hollow plastic ball the size of a golf ball found in children's golf kits |
|
Materials of your choice to build a mechanically-operated device (this excludes chemical and electrical systems) |
|
A few rules |
Device
Build
the device of your choice. It must, however, operate mechanically.
You cannot
transport the ball yourself from one table to the other.
|
You can activate the launching mechanism manually,
provided this operation takes no more than 5 seconds. |
|
The tables cannot be moved. No fixed structure connecting the two tables can be installed to transport or project the ball. If a structure connecting the two tables is used, it must move with the mechanical system away from the starting table. |
The system
must be placed on the table and cannot extend beyond it.
Hoops
The
hoops measure 30 cm in diameter.
|
Place them 60 cm apart and suspend them from strings between the two tables. |
|
The distance of the hoops from the starting table is: 1.2 m, 1.8 m and 2.4 m respectively. |
|
The height of the hoops from the top of the table is: first hoop - 1.3. m; second hoop - 1.5 m; third hoop - 1.3 m. |
|
Depending on the space available, you can use the rod to suspend the hoops from the string. |
Competition area
|
The distance between the two tables, from centre to centre, is 3.5 m. The tables cannot be moved. |
|
You can start by placing the tables at a distance of 1.5 m from centre to centre and increase the distance to 2 m and 2.5 meters during each round. |
|
Extend a line from the center of starting table to the center of the target table. |
|
Once the tables and hoops have been installed, spread the sand on the target table. Make sure the sand is at least 2 cm thick so that the ball’s point of impact can be easily seen. |
|
Use absorbent cotton or some other absorbent material to clearly identify the centre of the target. |
|
The test |
You
have five minutes to install your device on the table.
Once the
mechanism has been activated, you can no longer intervene.
Put the
tables back in place after each turn.
|
Ideally, the ball shouldn't touch the rings after being propelled, but travel through them. |
|
The ball’s point of impact on the target table will determine the distance travelled. Note the distance of the point of impact from the centre of the target. |
|
The ball whose point of impact is closest to the centre of the target will be declared the winner. |
|
The science behind the challenge |
Since this activity utilizes the principle of
mechanical energy, it may resemble other activities, however, the distance
and type of ball used results in very different solutions. The goal of
this challenge is to try to build a device that is capable of propelling
an object with a certain force and great precision.
|
Want to know more? |
Do a library or on-line search using the key words at the beginning of this challenge.
|
Click on the icon to access the printable PDF format version.* |
|
|
Click on the icon to send a message to a friend. |
|
> Tightrope walker
This medium-term challenge is taken from the
Creative Challenge guide entitled Relevez le défi, published by the Conseil de développement du loisir scientifique (CDLS)
Secondary I and II students: assistance required
Secondary III, IV and V students: no assistance necessary
Key words: Balance, gravity
Space: Large area or corridor |
 |
|
Your mission |
|
The Einstein circus is looking for an act
to replace its famous tightrope walker, Gallileo. The contest is
open to anyone who’s crazy about science. |
|
The challenge |
You must build a mobile 30 cm high x 30 cm
wide x 10 cm deep that can balance on a nylon thread (fishing line) and
descend a distance of 3 m. Since the circus has a tight budget, you can only use the specified materials to construct your mobile.
|
Materials |
You can only use the following materials:
Film containers
Wooden skewers
Metal rods
(the size of a metal hanger)
Modelling
clay or blue adhesive putty
Wood glue
or hot glue
A piece
of polystyrene (3 cm wide x 10 cm high)
A
series of weights (from 5 g to 50 g)
2- or 4-holed
buttons OR film container lids
1 fishing
line (20-kg resistance)
Paint to
mark the starting line on the fishing line
1 stopwatch
A tape measure
or a ruler to measure the mobiles
|
A sandbox or a bucket of water for the lion pit. The idea is to prevent the mobile from breaking if it falls. |
|
A few rules |
|
You can prepare for this challenge by trying to balance stationary objects. This will help you become familiar with the concept of balance. |
|
Build your mobile. |
|
Firmly suspend the 3-m-long fishing line at a height of 1.5 m at one end and 1 m at the other end. The fishing line must be slightly inclined (20° maximum) so that the mobile can descend and accelerate. You can attach the line to elevated chairs in order to create the incline. |
|
Place your lion pit on the floor, at midpoint of the descent. |
|
To stay balanced, your mobile can extend beyond the thread, either upward or downward. It must, however, respect the above-mentioned dimensions. |
|
You can modify the buttons and the piece of polystyrene. |
|
You can cut the wooden skewers and the metal rods to any desired length. |
|
During its descent, your mobile must retain all its parts. The loss of any part will result in a penalty. |
|
The test |
You
have five minutes to install your mobile on the fishing line.
You can
detach the fishing line to install it.
As soon
as the mobile begins its descent, you can no longer intervene.
|
You have two tries. Measure the longest distance. Time the descent. In the event of a tie, time will be taken into account. |
|
If your mobile loses parts during its descent, the distance travelled will be measured at the point the first part was lost. |
Warning: There is a lion pit at the midpoint of the descent. Any
mobile that falls into the pit will not be given a second chance.
|
The science behind the challenge |
This challenge explores the concept of gravity.
What’s special about it is that the mobile, which must remain
balanced, is moving. Balancing objects are usually stationary. This
challenge requires you to construct a mobile that can move forward
on a tightrope.
|
Want to know more? |
|
Do a library or on-line search using the key words at the beginning of this challenge. |
You will find a few experiments on this topic in:
|
Les Petits Débrouillards, 66 nouvelles expériences, Québec Science, 1988, pp 136-137. |
|
Les Débrouillards, no. 150, January 1996. Tombera...tombera pas! |
|
Click on the icon to access the printable PDF format version.* |
|
|
Click on the icon to send a message to a friend. |
|
* If you do not have Acrobat Reader, click on the icon : 
|
