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The Inter-Schools Dragster Competition

The Inter-Schools Dragster Competition. Dr Jos Darling Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath. Objectives. A design and build competition suitable for GCSE level school pupils to illustrate the following Mass Energy Friction Acceleration Practical design and manufacture

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The Inter-Schools Dragster Competition

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  1. The Inter-Schools Dragster Competition Dr Jos Darling Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath

  2. Objectives • A design and build competition suitable for GCSE level school pupils to illustrate the following • Mass • Energy • Friction • Acceleration • Practical design and manufacture • Experimentation

  3. The Competition • To design and build a spring propelled dragster to travel as quickly as possible down a 10m track using a ‘standard’ coil extension spring • Competition was based on an undergraduate project run at Bath for the last ten years. • The idea was originally developed as part of an Open University Summer School

  4. The Kit of Parts • Teams issued with a standard kit of parts which included the following • Standard extension coil spring • Back axle assembly • Fishing line • Teams design and build their own chassis, back wheels and front axle

  5. The kit of parts

  6. Additional parts • Dragster body • Balsa wood, Lego, carbon fibre fishing rod • Driven Wheels • CDs, jam jar lids, Coke can bases, card, balsa • Freewheeling wheels • Lego, Smarties tops, card, balsa, model aircraft • Tyres • Rubber bands, glass paper, condoms, rubber balloons

  7. Competition Rules • Only power source is standard spring extended by 100mm • No catapults • Timing from light beam at start and finish • Track on Lino floor with plastic covered washing line resting on floor to act as guide

  8. Typical Designs • Rear Wheel drive • Mass approximately 50 gramme

  9. The competition • Four local state schools involved • Nine teams of six students competed in event • Mixed sex teams where possible • Used as teaching aide in pre-GSCE Design and Technology • Students stayed after school in order to complete designs

  10. Timing and Organisation • Held during Science Week • Six undergraduate helpers • Non-threatening university environment • Local press and web publicity

  11. The event

  12. Results • Seven teams successfully completed course • Best time for 10m of 2.4 seconds • 50 students participated • Prizes • Easter Eggs • Certificates • Book Tokens for Schools

  13. Prize winners

  14. Funding • £1000 pounds provided by Balance Project (thanks) • Funding for • Kits • Administration • Travel for Schools • Pocket money for undergrad helpers • Prizes

  15. Feedback and the Future • Feedback from Schools very positive and complements from public following newspaper publicity • To be repeated with increased number of schools through University Widening Access activities

  16. Conclusions • A practical design and build competition suitable for pre-GCSE school pupils • Team work and practical engineering • Non-threatening university environment

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