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Imagineering Schools Challenges Programme Page |
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Programme & Information Exciting half or full day STEM Knex Challenge, Roll & Sail Vehicles Imagineering Foundation --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- K'Nex Challenge 2009/2010 This very popular KS2 competition was run by Imagineering in the 2008/9 year with over 35 Schools and 1600 children taking part in the Coventry and Warwickshire sub region. This is based on a design, make and test activity using a comprehensive Knex Kit with evaluations of sketching/drawing team work, final model and an operational test.
For 2009/2010 the half day School Sessions will run from 5 th October until early May with a final entry date of 14th April 2010 and prices will remain as in 2009. Gravity & Sail Buggy Challenge A Half or full day activity designing, making, modifying and testing small Knex 4 and 3 wheeled model vehicles built to strict specifications. Testing with inclined plane and table fans enables concepts of gravitational and ‘fluid’ forces to be demonstrated & compared. (Can be run for KS1, Y2 in a simplified form)
Structures.
KS2 Y4, 5 & 6 also KS3 Y7
Challenges involving various types of structure, Design, building and testing for strength and stability, some with loading tests to destruction. Activities can be chosen to involve various materials, towers, frames, polygons, bridges, and building sections. These challenges are a useful enhancement for the curriculum elements on forces and strong shapes. Students work in teams and for some need to set up a manufacturing production line to make the structural components.
Rockets and Bloodhound Rocket Car
KS2 & 3
The Rocket Vehicle challenge involves design and construction of a simple vehicle which can be propelled by a compressed air pulse. Good structural design and correct wheel alignment gives a challenge to the students to make a vehicle which will not disintegrate and run straight for a long distance. Air rockets can be enhanced by detailed theory on the NASA web site.
Simple card tube rockets with fins can be fired at 450 showing stability on an arced flight, the best ones go furthest. Simple average speed calculations can be made and relationships between rocket weight and performance considered. | IMAGINEERING TASTERS KS2
(Make, Test and Take) Flight – Starting with the simple theory of how flight can be achieved and some simple paper gliders, children build an individual advanced wooden Glider which is competitively tested and they keep.
Compass and Morse Buzzer – After revising magnetism, children build a working compass, magnetising the pointer, making the scale, assembling all parts, on fine days the challenge can be completed by following a short navigational exercise using the compass. Extending to simple electromagnetism children can build a working Morse key buzzer. This can bring out many simple electrical circuit concepts including multiple switch action and inductance as they watch the sparks! Steady Hand Game – An exciting construction challenge which is made without any soldering activity. A polarity sensitive 1.5V buzzer is used with a kit of parts containing 10 pieces. The unit is mounted on a predrilled wooden baseboard. As well as reinforcing electrical circuit theory the unit gives students free reign to their own design ability for the contact wire pattern. Three axis Hydraulic arm with Gripper(Suitable for KS2 Year 6 & KS3 Year7) - Practical robotics in action using water filled syringe actuators on a Revolute Robot capable of holding and moving a cup full of water. Simple hydraulic theory is covered and practical rotational mechanisms built. A class group using 10 robots can end with a timed production line competition. This challenge has been run in a modified form at National Technology Fairs (Big Bang) COMING SOON. Wind Generators and Solar Cells – ‘The Alternative Energy Power Station’ Plans for this involve Solar Cells plus a simple Wind generator mounted on a flexible framework, Fan blades can be are shaped and put on a simple hub to drive the generator. Operation is tested using a powerful security light and table fan Vehicles & moving structures in control Knex and possibly other 'construction' kits in control using simple programming interfaces probably including the new unique 'Imagineering Controller Board' ©
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- COSTS Knex Challenge KS2 Y4, 5 or 6
£120 up to 35 Half day session £200 up to 60 Full Day session
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The Imagineering Challenges Team 01926 643497 E: schools@jaguarlandrover.com Imagineering Foundation |