Cardboard Canoe Achievements

Design Achievements:

• Define the Problem and Brainstorm Solutions - State the problem you are designing a solution for. List at least 20 ideas you have regarding your solution.

problem: Build a boat out of cardboard that floats using the supplied materials.

Solution ideas:

- maximize weight distribution using large amount of surface area touching water.

- minimize water resistance by building a pointed bow.

- maximize buoyancy by using air filled cardboard boxes and lowering weight.

- optimize duct tape use efficiency by coating the parts touching the water before other areas.

- prevent drag by lowering possible instances of wet cardboard.

- use a flat bottom for weight distribution.

- use taller walls to prevent splashing and sinking.

- receive duct tape from Home Depot through being sponsored.

- cut cardboard precisely to reduce weight.

- build the boat with the rider in mind (Connor Heise).

- Prevent possible leaks by using multiple layers of duct tape at stress points and corners.

- use box shape to create structural stability, and overlap corners to hold the vessel's stability.

- select air filled cardboard parts to maintain buoyancy advantage.

- prevent sagging by using multiple layers of structure.

- optimize use of class time by working together as a group

- optimize use of duct tape by minimizing overlap, while keeping enough of an overlap to prevent leaks.

- place floats in needed locations.

- promote morale by making a home depot sign.

- base design off of effective real world boat designs.

- maximize efficiency by spreading out the workload over the ENTIRE team.

- reinforce structure with form of propulsion kept in mind.

- keep waste to a minimum.

- build a design that will keep the workspace relatively clean.

- optimize time use by measuring all pieces before cutting.

• Criteria & Constraints -

As noted on the Creative Problem Solvers Blog:

• You may only use Cardboard and Duct Tape for this event.
• All Staples or other foreign material must be removed from your cardboard. If we trash the pool, we will not be invited back for other activities during the year (yes, we have other activities in mind for 2nd semester).
• Cardboard must meet our quality standard and be approved by the instructor (more info to follow)
• Each boat must have a minimum of a 3" tall "sidewall" (no completely flat designs).
• All exposed cardboard must be covered in duct tape (this will reduce cardboard disintigration in the pool).
• Each team will be provided one "versa table" cardboard box piece and two 60yrd rolls of duct tape. Any materials beyond this (likely need more cardboard) need to be resourced by your team.

Implied criteria:

• it should float

Implied restrictions/constraints:

• time
• buoyancy of materials
• effects of water on cardboard/duct tape

• Sketch Ideas - Draw 3 different sketches for possible designs. Label at least 3 key features for each sketch. Describe the feature's functionality so a viewer understands why the called out feature is important.

Sketch 1

Sketch 2

Sketch 3

• Prototype Ideas - Craft physical prototypes (models) of each of your three sketches. Use a notecard or post it note to call out at least one key feature on each model. Post the images to your blog and describe the key feature that you've pointed out on each.

Prototype 1

Prototype 2

Prototype 3

• Select an Approach - Generate feedback (+, change, ?, !) and make a decision matrix regarding your sketches/prototypes. Specify the approach you've chosen and justify your selection.

Team Feedback

Build Achievements:

• Build It! - Build your watercraft. Document it with a presentable photo.

We built our watercraft.

Test Achievements:

• The Fastest - Awarded to the first team to reach the far side (25yds)

• The Farthest - Awarded to the team that can travel the furthest (laps)

• The Longest - Awarded to the team with the watercraft that floats the longest (multiple teams may be awarded this achievement if multiple boats remain afloat at the end of our competition period).

• Balance Master - Awarded if you can have at least one person stand for 5 seconds in the boat (you must conduct this away from the edge of the pool so that non one falls over and hits their head)

Connor was able to stand in the boat for 5 seconds.

• Videographer - Take video of the challenge and post to your blog.

Video


Reflection Achievements:

• Feedback - Generate ten items of feedback for your effort (from the design/build process and/or the actual product). Make sure you include at least one item of feedaback in each of our four feedback areas (+, change, ?, !)

positive:

+ it floated
+ it was large enough for Connor to be comfortable
+ capable of carrying over 100 lbs of weight.

thoughts:

- why did we have air pockets mounted so high?

- did the shape actually optimize efficiency?

- did having a bow help?

changes:

= duct tape inside to prevent leakage

= lessen amount of exposed material

ideas:

! build a boat without cardboard!

! cover top with duct tape to prevent splashing

! build a second layer to prevent leaks

• How Low Did You Go? - How low in the water did your canoe sit (roughly)? Was it suprising how little your boat went down in the water? What is the unit weight of water in pounds? How much did your pilot weigh (roughly)? Use math to help explain the depth that your boat sat in the water.

Our canoe sat at over 3 inches in the water, with a passenger who weighed roughly 128 lbs.

The unit weight of water in pounds is 62.43 lbs/(ft.^3)

• Redesign - If we were to do another Carboard Canoe race next semester, what would you build? Draw from everything you experienced in your class and propose the most competative solution. Include a sketch with key features and dimensions labeled.

I would build our ship exactly the same, but with the above items changed.

(Make Your Own Achievement)

Achievement: External vs. Internal Propulsion

Have your boat be able to be consistently propelled through force applied from both a non passenger and the passenger (i.e being pushed or rowing).