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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
Your challenge for this project is to design a “landing module” that can survive a drop from a high
elevation and deliver its “payload” safely through as soft a landing as possible. In this case, the
payload is its passenger, or “eggstronaut”, and your team will be given specific constraints (described
below) for your landing module that you must adhere to. You will drop your landing vehicle from the
NCS bird tower, which is a height of approximately 20 feet. You will initially work on your own to
design a landing module, and then later assigned to a group of 3-4 students to come up with a final
landing module design.
GOAL
To design and construct and drop a landing module, while demonstrating an understanding the physics
concepts related to its motion and forces.
RULES AND LIMITS:
1.
You are not allowed to use the Internet for this project. This is considered cheating and a
violation of the Academic Integrity Policy.
2.
You will be given a $100 Dollar “budget” to build your landing vehicle using only the attached
materials list – for both individual and group parts of the project
3.
You must design and draw a model, and carefully fill out pricing sheet before getting your
materials to create your landing module – for both individual and group parts of the project
4.
All of your landing module calculations (see below) must be in standard (S.I.) units – for
group part of the project only
5.
The winner of the “competition” will be the least expensive module that safely delivers its
eggstronaut. - for group part of the project only
6.
Your eggstronaut must be sealed in a spacesuit (a small Ziploc bag provided free of charge)
with nothing in it except for the eggstronaut.
7.
You will only use “test pilots” while developing your individual and group landing modules.
Only during the final drop will you use your eggstronaut.
CONCEPTS OF PHYSICS:
Each group will be responsible for understanding the following concepts of physics and how they apply to
your landing module, both in theory (calculated before your “drop”) and in reality (from your actual
“drop”) where possible. The following concepts must be measured or calculated, using only standard S.I.
units, on the worksheet provided. This information will be presented just prior to your drop.
Time of drop
Mass of Landing Module
Weight of Landing Module (on Earth)
Weight of Landing Module (on Mars)
Mass of the Eggstronaut
Weight of the Eggstronaut (on Earth)
Weight of the Eggstronaut (on Mars)
Average Velocity of Drop
Average Acceleration of Drop
Force at impact (in Newtons)
Kinetic Energy at impact (extra cred.)
Potential Energy at start (extra cred.)
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
General Procedure
Part 1: Individual Assignment – Test Module, Eggstronaut Artwork
1. You will individually create an eggstronaut. Draw a face and flight suit on your eggstronaut using
colored markers. You should also name your Eggstronaut. Raw eggstronauts must be place back
in the class egg cartons at end of each day. Broken eggstronauts will add $15 to your cost, and
you will lose the privilege to create an eggstronaut for the project.
2. Review all of the materials you can for designing your landing module.
3. Draw a model for your landing module on paper. You can draw elevations, cutaways, or aerial
views depending on your skill.
4. Label your drawings, name your landing vehicle, and list all of its materials and costs on the
provided materials sheet.
5. Get teacher approval of your design and materials, then gather your materials and create your test
module.
Part 2: Group Assignment – Group Design and Build, Measurements and Calculations, and Drop
1. Conduct a design review of the individual landing modules. Document the strengths and
drawbacks of each design.
2. Brainstorm several ideas together, then design a on paper model for your group landing module.
You can draw elevations, cutaways, or aerial views depending on your group’s skill.
3. Label your drawings, name your landing vehicle, and list all of its materials and costs on the
provided materials sheet.
4. Get teacher approval of your design and materials, then gather your materials and create your test
module.
5. Present and then drop your test module on assigned date.
PROJECT BENCHMARKS (preliminary list – dates subject to change)
BENCHMARK: DESCRIPTION
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
PROJECT LAUNCH
DESIGN QUESTIONS DAY
INDIVIDUAL DESIGN CONCEPT DUE
GATHER MATERIALS, CONSTRUCTION OF
INDIVIDUAL TEST MODULES (AT HOME IF NEEDED)
GROUP PREFERNCES
GROUPS (OF 3) ASSIGNED
GROUP DESIGN REVIEW
GROUP DESIGN CONCEPT DUE
CONSTRUCTION OF FINAL GROUP LANDING
MODULE (OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL IF NEEDED)
PHYSICS CALCULATIONS COMPLETE
LANDING DAY/PRESENTATIONS
GROUP MEMBER EVALUATIONS & PROJECT
REFLECTIONS DUE
2
DUE ON OR
BEFORE DATE
Monday Feb. 27
Tuesday Feb. 28
Wednesday March 1
Thursday/Friday
March 2-3
Monday March 6
Wednesday March 8
Friday March 10
Friday March 17
Week of March 20
Week of March 20.
Due by March 23
Friday March 24
Friday March 24
8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
Material Prices (Budget $100)
Your goal will be to design a successful landing module for the lowest possible cost using only the
materials below. The materials may be altered in any way you see fit as long as you do not add materials
to them. The winner of the competition will be the lowest cost module that successfully delivers its
payload.
Material
Price
Rubber band
Paper clip (large)
Yarn
Duct tape
2 liter bottle
(must be provided by your group)
Blue painters tape
Gallon bag
Cardboard
Toothpick
8.5in. x 11in. laser paper
Straw
Small Plastic cup
Hot glue stick
$2
$1.50
$.50 / inch
$12 / 6 inches
$45
$5 / 6 inches
$25
$ 7.50 / 5x5" piece
$.50
$17
$3
$20
$5
“As I hurtled through space, one thought kept crossing my mind - every part of this
rocket was supplied by the lowest bidder.” John Glenn’s reflection about climbing into an
Atlas rocket on a NASA launch pad in 1962
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
Name: ________________________
BENCHMARK #2: Design Questions
In this benchmark you will come-up with as many questions as you can related to your design and the
materials available.
Question:
1. __________________________________________________________________________________?
2. __________________________________________________________________________________?
3. __________________________________________________________________________________?
4. __________________________________________________________________________________?
5. __________________________________________________________________________________?
6. __________________________________________________________________________________?
7. __________________________________________________________________________________?
8. __________________________________________________________________________________?
9. __________________________________________________________________________________?
10. _________________________________________________________________________________?
Additional questions can be listed below.
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
Name: ________________________
BENCHMARK #3: Individual Design Concept
In this benchmark you will select your materials and calculate your overall cost, and provide labeled
design sketches of your landing module. Additional pages for illustrations can be attached. This is
required before you can get materials.
Materials used:
Qty
Item Cost
1. __________________________
______
_____________
2. __________________________
______
_____________
3. __________________________
______
_____________
4. __________________________
______
_____________
5. __________________________
______
_____________
6. __________________________
______
_____________
7. __________________________
______
_____________
Total Cost: $ _____________
Illustrations:
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
Teacher Signoff: ______
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
Name: ____________________
BENCHMARK #5: Group Preferences
In this benchmark you will come up with your preferences for your group. Choosing group members is an
important skill in life. You will want a diverse group and not members that you select just because you
are friends or think alike. Remember you are not guaranteed the members that will be assigned to your
group, but the better reasons why you want to work with individuals may help determine the group
assignments. And this may be your last chance to work on a group project with your classmates – is there
anyone who you never have worked with? This information will be kept confidential!
Group Member Preferences (optional)
Reason for strong collaboration
1.
_______________________ _______________________________________________
2.
_______________________ _______________________________________________
3.
_______________________ _______________________________________________
4.
_______________________ _______________________________________________
5.
_______________________ _______________________________________________
6.
_______________________ _______________________________________________
On my projects this year, I have already worked with (list names and projects): _____________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Assigned Group: ______________________________
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
Group Names: ________________________
BENCHMARK #8: Group Design Review
In this benchmark you will assess the strengths and drawbacks of each individual landing module. You
must come up with at least one strength and drawback for each design! Only one per group is required.
Module #1 _____________________
Total Cost: $ _____________
Strengths
1. _________________________________________________________________________________
2_________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________________
Drawbacks
1. _________________________________________________________________________________
2_________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________________
Module #2 _____________________
Total Cost: $ _____________
Strengths
1. _________________________________________________________________________________
2_________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________________
Drawbacks
1. _________________________________________________________________________________
2_________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________________
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
Module #3 _____________________
Total Cost: $ _____________
Strengths
1. _________________________________________________________________________________
2_________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________________
Drawbacks
1. _________________________________________________________________________________
2_________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________________
Module #4 _____________________
Total Cost: $ _____________
Strengths
1. _________________________________________________________________________________
2_________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________________
Drawbacks
1. _________________________________________________________________________________
2_________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________________
Teacher Signoff: ______
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
Name: ________________________
BENCHMARK #8: Group Design Concept
In this benchmark you will select your materials and calculate your overall cost, and provide labeled
design sketches of your landing module. Additional pages for illustrations can be attached. This is
required before your group can get materials. Only one per group is required.
Materials used:
Qty
Item Cost
1. __________________________
______
_____________
2. __________________________
______
_____________
3. __________________________
______
_____________
4. __________________________
______
_____________
5. __________________________
______
_____________
6. __________________________
______
_____________
7. __________________________
______
_____________
Total Cost: $ _____________
Illustrations:
Teacher Signoff: ______
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
Group Names: _____________________________
BENCHMARK #10: Physics Calculations
In this benchmark, will group measure and calculate the following items. Only S.I. Units are allowed.
For calculation-based measurements, you must show a formula and all the work, including units at every
step. Only one per group is required.
Constants:
Acceleration of gravity on Earth (9.81 meters per second2)
Acceleration of gravity on Mars (3.77 meters per second2)
Item
Formula/Calculations – if required (must
include units)
Time of drop
(measured with test pilot)
Mass of Landing Module
Weight of Landing
Module (on Earth)
Weight of Landing
Module (on Mars)
Mass of the Eggstronaut
Weight of the
Eggstronaut (on Earth)
Weight of the
Eggstronaut (on Mars)
Average Velocity of Drop
(measured with test pilot)
Average Acceleration of
Drop
(measured with test pilot)
Force at impact (on
Earth)
(in Newtons)
Kinetic Energy at
impact (extra credit)
Potential Energy at start
(extra credit)
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Final Value
(must include units)
8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
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8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
Name: ____________________
BENCHMARK #12: Group Member Evaluation
and Project Reflection
Landing Module Name: _____________________
1. Our group collaborated productively and worked well together. EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER.
1
Strongly Disagree
2
3
4
5
Strongly Agree
2. Our group managed our project effectively. EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER.
1
Strongly Disagree
2
3
4
5
Strongly Agree
3. List suggestion(s) you have that would have improved the performance of your group.
This section will be kept confidential. Scores will be averaged between the entire group.
4. I did MY PART to make the group successful. Explain clearly why or why not. BE SPECIFIC!
1
Strongly Disagree
2
3
4
17
5
Strongly Agree
8th Grade Physics: Landing Module Project
5. Group member 1 __________________ (insert name) did their part to make the group successful.
Explain why or why not. BE SPECIFIC!
1
Strongly Disagree
2
3
4
5
Strongly Agree
6. Group member 2 __________________ (insert name) did their part to make the group successful.
Explain why or why not. BE SPECIFIC!
1
Strongly Disagree
2
3
4
5
Strongly Agree
7. Group member 3 __________________ (insert name) did their part to make the group successful.
Explain why or why not. BE SPECIFIC!
1
Strongly Disagree
2
3
4
18
5
Strongly Agree