Grade 9 Engineering Project-Define & Inquire

Introduction:

In this project, we will design and make a device that shows energy transfer in two weeks.

Ideas:

Idea 1:

My first idea was a small DIY helicopter that is controllable.  I have always loved to make flying objects, and a controllable one makes things even better. This helicopter transfer energy from potential chemical energy (battery) to kinetic energy (moving and flying). Getting the materials and controlling the helicopter (shifting the propellers for different situations, such as levitating or flying up/down) could be Obstacles I encounter with this idea.

Interest Level: 5/5

Safety Level: 3/5

Idea 2:

After deciding that a helicopter was too hard for me, motorboats came to my mind since it was easier to make. This is similar to the helicopter as it also transfers potential chemical energy to kinetic energy. This idea is much easier to make than the helicopter because I can control it with sails or change how the paddle rotates when it needs to turn around.

Interest Level: 3/5

Safety Level: 4/5

Idea 3:

I have always wanted a Tesla Coil, and I found that I could use this Engineering project as a chance to make one myself. The Tesla coil can transfer the potential chemical energy in a battery to electrical energy and send them into the air. The downside of this idea is that the coil is hard to make, especially getting specific materials.

Interest Level: 4/5

Safety Level: 3/5

Idea 4:

The ideas before were all electrical and “high-tech”, so I wanted to go with something more historical and “old-fashioned” for my other ideas. The trebuchet uses gravitational force and transfers stored/potential energy to kinetic energy. If done well, this idea would be challenging to make but doable in two weeks.

Interest Level: 4/5

Safety Level: 3/5

Idea 5:

The previous idea was a little dangerous, this inspired me to come up with some “old-fashioned entertainment”, and the first thing that came to my mind was a guillotine. The guillotine also uses gravitational force and transfers energy to kinetic energy. The difficulty of making a guillotine a similar to a trebuchet but slightly safer.

Interest Level: 4/5

Safety Level: 4/5