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Alternative energy sources in transportationAs part of a unit on alternative energy sources in transportation, we studied the advantages and disadvantages of powering vehicles, both full size and toy, with fuels such as gasoline, and electric batteries. My students were challenged to build vehicles using the LEGO® DACTA® Technic I sets and to power them with alternative energy sources. To get them started, we made vehicles that moved by air compression using the LEGO DACTA Pneumatic Sets. The children were quite imaginative, both in the design of their vehicles and in the methods they used to power their vehicles. A LEGO paddle boat moved by rubberband power, and a combination LEGO-styrofoam magna-vehicle traveled along a magnetic track with the help of magnets glued on the vehicle (like magnetic poles repel each other). A LEGO sail boat moved along a water trough as wind blew into its large sail from a fan. Although a lemon "battery" failed to move a LEGO train (not anywhere near enough power), we did manage to light a small light bulb for the top of the train with it. A few students made effective use of simple machines to move their vehicles. They had learned about simple machines such as levers and pulleys the previous year using LEGO DACTA Technic I sets and activity cards. Now they applied their knowledge of how these simple machines worked to get their LEGO vehicles to move. A complex set of pulleys moved a "commuter train" from one end of the classroom to the other. All in all, the experience was a lot of fun and it enabled the children to practice their inventive thinking while applying what they had learned about LEGO building components, alternative energy sources, simple machines, and scientific problem solving.
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LEGO Dacta AMS Tractor PullChallenge: You and your partner are to design a vehicle that will be able to pull the most weight on the specially designed pulling sled. Materials: You are only allowed to use those materials that are given to you by the instructor: 1-LEGO DACTA Technic I Set Time: You and your partner have 25 minutes in order to brainstorm, design, and build your vehicle. You may test your vehicle at any time during the preparation period. At the end of the 25 minute construction time you will be required to submit your vehicle for the tractor pull. No modifications may be made after the 25 minute construction. Judging: The AMS Tractor Pull will be judged on the following criteria:
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Water carrying vehicleThis water carrying vehicle project which I use in my eighth grade technology classes is a nice engineering problem that integrates math and science concepts. Students are given a 30 ml plastic medicine cup, a LEGO DACTA Technic I kit, a 2 foot long board and blocks to make a ramp, and a protractor to measure the ramp angle. We go over the problem, design limits and how to measure the ramp angle and formula for finding the efficiency rating. The many spills that occur along the way to designing and building efficient vehicles add to the excitement and enjoyment of the activity. To make the problem even more difficult, we often put a barricade a set distance from the bottom of the ramp so that the vehicles should be designed to stop before hitting it. Problem: You are to design, construct and test a vehicle that will carry the given 30ml cup of water down a ramp. The efficiency of the vehicle will be determined by multiplying the amount of water held by the angle of the ramp. Design Limits:
Materials: You may only use the contents in the LEGO DACTA Technic I kit.
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