NOTE All entries must be checked in upon arrival at MESA Day.

Hovercraft Challenge Level: Middle School Type of Contest: Team Composition of Team: 2 4 students per team Number of Teams: One entry per school Next Generation Science Standards: MS-ETS1-1., MS-ETS1-2., MS-ETS1-3., MS-ETS1-4. 1 Overview The objective of this project is to expose students to the engineering process through the design and construction of a functional hovercraft (a land-and-water transportation vehicle) to be the fastest vehicle in a race across a 3-m long by 1.5-m wide track with the fastest of two runs selected for the team s competitive time. All teams will receive similar base component kit parts and will be required to power their hovercrafts using at least the two motors provided in the kit and either 9-V batteries or other types of batteries they supply. 2 Nonetheless, creativity in the design and assembly of non-powered parts is encouraged. NOTE All entries must be checked in upon arrival at MESA Day. Judging Guidelines Categories The competition is judged based on scores for each of the judging categories described in the following sections, including the design and construction, oral presentation and board display, and hovercraft performance demonstration. The rubrics in the Scoring Sheet provide details on the scoring of each of the competition judging categories with the following points for each category (100 points total): 1. Design and Construction: 25 points 2. Oral Presentation and Board Display: 45 points 3. Hovercraft Performance Demonstration: 30 points The following sections provide specific judging requirements for each category. 1 NGSS Lead States. (2013). Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press: http://w ww.nextgenscience.org/next-generation-science-standards. 2 Important Note about Safety: If additional motors and batteries are used, extreme care must be taken to ensure that batteries and motors are appropriately matched. If motors are operated by batteries w ith a higher voltage than the motor rating, the motors can quickly overheat and cause serious harm. MESA Hovercraft Challenge 1 MESA Day Competition

Design and Construction 25 points The overall design and construction of the hovercraft will be judged on the following characteristics: 1. Size The completed hovercraft must be constructed to be no larger than 40 x 40 x 40 cm before and during operation. 2. Appearance and Visibility of Operating Parts The hovercraft must be constructed to resemble a passenger vehicle. The hovercraft may be decorated, but all powered parts (motors, fans, switches, wires, etc.) on top and under the hovercraft must remain clearly visible. 3. Launch Device A switch, lever, trigger, etc. must be part of the design to initiate launch of the vehicle. At no time should any physical action from a team member generate a force that directly contributes to the hovercraft s forward motion down the track. The launch operation is scored during the Performance Demonstration. 4. Materials Cost and Power Requirements Any suitable materials or tools may be used to aid in the construction/assembly of the device. However, all component cost must remain under $50 (U.S. Dollars). All teams will receive similar base component kit parts and will be required to power their hovercrafts using at least the two motors provided in the kit and either 9-V batteries or other types of batteries they supply. IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SAFETY If additional motors and batteries are used, extreme care must be taken to ensure that batteries and motors are appropriately matched. If motors are operated by batteries with a higher voltage than the motor rating, the motors can quickly overheat and cause serious harm. 5. Creativity and Imagination The hovercraft assembly and/or modifications are imaginative and take creative risk without losing functionality. NOTES Team Contributions The vehicle s design will be used as a factor in overall scoring. However, the team s performance during oral presentation with respect to design knowledge and adherence to established device operating requirements are also scored. Creativity and Imagination The vehicle s design assembly and modifications should be imaginative and take creative risk without losing functionality. Restrictions Teams may only bring one hovercraft to the competition. MESA Hovercraft Challenge 2 MESA Day Competition

Example Hovercraft Assembly An example of a third-party assembly of a hovercraft similar to the one used in this competition can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39hq7iumtoy&feature=youtu.be Please be aware that the assembly described in the example video does not exactly meet this year s specifications. Always check your rules during the assembly of any competitive device. Oral Presentation and Board Display 45 points Each team will be assigned a setup location at MESA Day. In this location, student team members will complete give a 2- to 7-min oral presentation and answer any questions from the judges about the design of their device. Additionally, students will share the pros and cons of using hovercraft for transport and how their device is and is not similar to commercial passenger hovercraft. All student members must actively participate in the presentation. NOTE Participation in the presentation or interjections by adults of team members are not permitted during the presentation. Display Board Requirements The team s design presentation must be accompanied with a tri-fold display board, 48 x 36 in. (W x H), that contains the following information: 1. School Name or School System Name. 2. MESA Advisor(s) and Principal s Names. 3. Team Members and Their Roles Display board introduces all team members and their contributions to the project. 4. Graphic Display A well-labeled graphic of how the model functions. 5. Description of the Engineering/Design Process A brief description of the engineering and design process the team employed should include the following: How the team chose to wire the vehicle's circuit (series or parallel) and why. How the design was tested and selected (including sketches of the original design). What improvements or changes were made to the design and why. A complete (but brief) description of some of the problems the team encountered in designing the vehicle and how they resolved those problems. MESA Hovercraft Challenge 3 MESA Day Competition

6. Bibliography List at least six resources used to solve the challenge problem. Include books and websites. Reference citations must be formatted according to the American Psychological Association (APA) style for reference citations. 3 7. Materials List all the component materials of the device. Indicate the cost of each item. Estimate the value of donated materials. At the bottom of this list, provide a total cost of all component materials used in the device, which must be less than $50 (U.S. Dollars). See the Example Budget Sheet. 8. MESA Logo Include the JHU/APL MD MESA logo, no smaller than 3.79 x 1.5 in. (W x H), in the upper right corner of the display. The logo can be downloaded from the Maryland MESA website: www.jhuapl.edu/mesa. Example Budget Sheet The following is an example of an itemized sheet listing each component and its cost: Item Quantity Cost ($) Popsicle Sticks 200 4.00 Marbles 2 2.00 Motor 1 5.00 TOTAL: 11.00 NOTE Donations must be assigned a value and included the budget sheet calculation. Receipts and/or descriptive purchase documentation must be provided for all items. Judges Questions All students are required to discuss and answer questions from the judges on the design process and the role they played in the creation of the hovercraft. Responses to judges questions will be factored in to scoring for all categories. Judges may ask questions at any time during the competition. The judges questions may be centered on but not limited to the following: 1. Why the presented design was selected and how would it be useful in real-life situations? 2. Reason for the vehicle's shape, functions, styling, etc. 3. The scientific research required to construct a fully automated device. 4. The team's selection of purchased/recycled/repurposed materials. 5. How the design was tested and what improvements were made (Engineering Process). 6. Steps taken to ensure team safety during construction and performance. 3 Available at: http://w ww.apastyle.org. MESA Hovercraft Challenge 4 MESA Day Competition

Hovercraft Performance Demonstration 30 points The hovercraft must be constructed to resemble a passenger vehicle and travel as fast and as straight as possible down a 3-m long by 1.5-m wide track. The following parameters will be measured for each vehicle: 1. Launch Requirements ( Three Count ) Once the hovercraft is set up behind the starting line, the demonstrating team member must give a three count, during which time the device must not be in activation and the team member is not to be in contact with the device. 2. Proper Physical Contact Once the three count is completed, to initiate the hovercraft a switch, lever, trigger, etc. must be activated by brief physical contact from the team member; this contact must not add force to the forward motion of the vehicle. NOTES Teams that are determined by judges to have added force to their device s forward motion will receive a reduced score: Adding direct force to the hovercraft will result in a 30-point penalty, equal to forfeit of ALL hovercraft performance points. If a hovercraft fails to cross the finish line within 3 min from the start of a run, that run will be ended and marked at 3 min. If this occurs during the team s first run, they will receive the preset 2 min to make any needed adjustments before attempting their second run. 3. Boundary Maintenance The hovercraft must remain behind the starting line before demonstration and may only be released onto the track in the sight of the judge(s), and during both runs, it must remain within the 1.5-m wide track boundary. 4. Mechanical Reliability The hovercraft must complete at least one run without breaking down or failing. 5. Speed (Best Time) The hovercraft must travel as fast and as straight as possible down a 3-m long by 1.5-m wide track within a 3-minute timeframe during two allowed runs. NOTE Teams will receive 2 minutes after their first run to make adjustments to their vehicle. 6. Tools Teams will be allowed to have a small set of tools with them for adjustments between the first and second runs. However, the team s tools may not take up more than a 30- x 30- x 30-cm space and must be stored in a location that does not interfere with the competition. MESA Hovercraft Challenge 5 MESA Day Competition

Design Bonus 20 points To distinguish themselves, teams can earn additional points for completing the following bonus design challenge, worth 10 points each: Activating the hovercraft via wireless remote (remote steering is permitted). Placing two ping-pong balls as passengers (secured only by gravity in a container at a depth of no greater than 5 cm) and crossing the finish line without losing the ball for both of the two allowed runs. NOTE All entries must be checked in upon arrival at MESA Day. Tie-Breakers Ties will be broken via the use of the highest score on the following predetermined rubric indicators: 1. Oral Presentation and Board Display 45 Points 2. Design and Construction 25 Points The Scoring Sheet itemizes possible points for each tie-breaker category. 3. Performance Demonstration 30 Points ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE JUDGES ARE FINAL. 4 All MESA teams are also encouraged to enter the Maryland Engineering Challenges, from which this challenge draws its inspiration. For more information, visit the Engineering Challenges page on the Baltimore Museum of Industry website: http://www.thebmi.org/ 4 If a team believes an error w as made that affected the outcome of the competition, the team s advisor may submit an appeal form. These forms w ill be available on the day of the competition. MESA Hovercraft Challenge 6 MESA Day Competition

MESA Hovercraft Challenge Scoring Sheet School: Judge: Total: points Performance Area Level of Mastery (Select One) Total Performance Area Oral Presentation and Board Display TIE-BREAKER 2 Level of Mastery (Select One) Hovercraft Challenge None Developing Approaching Some Mastery Student(s) significantly increase the judges understanding of the team s approach to the engineering and design process including but not limited to the following: Section Total 45 Points /45 Total Insight The presentation/display board offered a highly insightful view into how the craft s design was tested and selected (including sketches, if applicable). Academic Rigor The team presented a complete (but brief) description of some of the problems they encountered in assembling and/or designing the ride and how those problems were resolved. Sources The presentation/display board includes at least six cited sources used to assist the team in solving the stated problem (formatted using APA style for reference citations). 5 Team Member Contributions The team introduced all of their team members and detailed the contributions of each on the display board. Organization Utilizing their display board, the team delivered a brief, engaging introduction, a uniquely interesting presentation, and a highly compelling conclusion. Display Board Professionally assembled and utilized through key features of the oral presentation. Includes the JHU/APL Maryland MESA Logo in the upper right corner. The board should be the required size of 36 x 48 in. and include a list of component material costs totaling less than $50 USD. Professionalism Clear speech (avoids Umm, Like, You Know, etc.), good eye contact, professional posture. Accurate Timekeeping/Pacing Team presented within the 2- to 7-minute window without rushing or going too slow. Working Knowledge Student conversation(s) allow judges to readily assess that the students were highly involved in the engineering and design process and that their ideas came to life in the device. Judge s Feedback for Oral Presentation and Board Display 5 Available at: http://www.apastyle.org. MESA Hovercraft Challenge 7 MESA Day Competition

MESA Hovercraft Challenge Scoring Sheet School: Judge: Total: points Performance Area Level of Mastery (Select One) Design and Construction TIE-BREAKER 3 Hovercraft Challenge (Continued) Not Demonstrated Demonstrated Student team demonstrates a command ability to meet design requirements as demonstrated in their device including but not limited to the following: Section Total 25 Points /25 Size The device is no larger than 40 x 40 x 40 cm (L x W x H) before and during operation. (0) (5) Appearance and Visibility of Operating Parts The hovercraft shows a clear connection/resemblance to a true passenger vehicle, and all powered parts of the device (switches, wires, motors) can be easily seen during inspection (on top/under the device). Launch Dev ice Design includes a switch, lever, trigger, etc. to initiate launch of the vehicle, and it does not require any physical action from a team member to initiate the hovercraft s forward motion down the track. (0) (5) (0) (5) Materials Used Team used at least the two motors provided in the kit and up to two 9-V or other type batteries that the team supplied. Creativ ity and Imagination Hovercraft assembly and/or modifications are imaginative and take creative risk without losing functionality. Judge s Feedback for Design and Construction (0) (5) (0) (5) MESA Hovercraft Challenge 8 MESA Day Competition

MESA Hovercraft Challenge Scoring Sheet School: Judge: Total: points Hovercraft Performance Demonstration TIE-BREAKER 1 Student (s) design demonstrates the following performance requirements: Section Total 30 Points /30 Three Count Placing the device on the line, the student gave a three count on both runs/trials without fail before activation of the device. (0) (5) Proper Physical Contact When the run was initiated, the student launching the hovercraft demonstrated that he or she did not add direct forward force to the vehicle with the device while launching it. (Forfeit of ALL Section Points) 30 point penalty (5) Boundary Maintenance During both runs, the device stayed within the 1.5-m wide track boundary. (0) (5) Mechanical Reliability The hovercraft completed at least one run without breaking down or failing. (0) (5) Best Time The hov ercraft s best run times for the two allowed runs: Best Time (Use for Scoring): sec First Run: sec Second Run: sec Judge s Feedback for Performance Demonstration MESA Hovercraft Challenge 9 MESA Day Competition

MESA Hovercraft Challenge Scoring Sheet School: Judge: Total: points Design Bonus Add 10 points for each of the following tasks completed: Wireless Remote Activating the device via a wireless remote. Passenger Placing two Ping-Pong balls as passengers, secured only by gravity with a container depth no greater than 5 cm, and crossing the finish line without losing it for each of the two allowed runs. Overall Score for the Hovercraft Challenge Bonus Section Total 20 Points /20 (10 points) (10 points) Penalty for adding direct force to the movement of the hovercraft: Assess a 30-point penalty. Enter 30 preceded by a minus sign: 30-point penalty: OVERALL TOTAL SCORE (x/100 points): / 100 Judge s Feedback MESA Hovercraft Challenge 10 MESA Day Competition