Grade 7/8 STEM Challenge #1 – Creating a Basketball Net using simple materials
Grade 7/8 STEM Challenge #1 – Creating a Basketball Net using simple materials
The Task: Using the Engineering Design Process* discussed in class, your group will create a durable, portable, stable, retractable and aesthetically appealing basketball net, with a maximum height of 6 feet.
*Define task/research/brainstorm-conceptualize/choose your best solution/sketch blueprints/develop your first prototype/test and make further iterations/consider aesthetics
Materials: Cardboard, paper, glue, scissors, string, paper plates, plastic cups, elastics, measuring tapes, straws, duct tape, masking tape, pipe cleaners, plastic bottles (various sizes up to 2L), velcro
Success Criteria:
Teamwork – Were all group members are equally involved in planning and construction? Were all ideas are respected? Was class time used wisely? Was there collaborative brainstorming (conceptualization)? Did your group sketch out of blueprints?
Durable – Is it sturdy and well-built. Will it last a long time or fall apart? Are there any obvious weaknesses in structural integrity?
Stable – Does it wobble or fall over when shots are taken or does it rest firmly in place? (Tested using four different, progressively heavier balls)
Retractable – Does it have four (or more) different heights it can be raised or lowered to?
Portable – Can it be moved from place to place (fairly) easily?
Aesthetic – Is it visually appealing? (i.e. – proportional, nicely put together, colour scheme, straight cuts, etc.)
Rubric
Rubric
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
Teamwork | Needs Improvement | Satisfactory | Good | Excellent |
Durability | Needs Improvement | Satisfactory | Good | Excellent |
Stability | Needs Improvement | Satisfactory | Good | Excellent |
Retractable | Needs Improvement | Satisfactory | Good | Excellent |
Portable | Needs Improvement | Satisfactory | Good | Excellent |
Aesthetics | Needs Improvement | Satisfactory | Good | Excellent |
OVERALL | Needs Improvement | Satisfactory | Good | Excellent |
Create Your Own Basketball Net STEM Challenge – Follow-Up Questions
1.Describe the TWO biggest challenges your group encountered during this design task. Explain how you overcame or tried to overcome each one.
2.Describe one element of your final project design that your group is most proud of. Explain why you feel this way.
3.If you could redo this project from the beginning, describe how your approach would change. Be specific. Describe one or two things your group would have done differently.
4.After looking over and testing the designs of other groups, describe one idea or innovation another group used that especially impressed you. Explain why you feel this way.
5.On a scale of 1-5 (least-most), how challenging did your group find this task? Explain.
6.On a scale of 1-5 (least-most), how enjoyable did your group find this task? Explain.
7.Does your group have any ideas for structuring the task differently, if it were to be done with other classes in the future?
Related Concepts and Vocabulary
*There will be an in-class mini-test on these ideas
*Match the term and definition
1.Stability
2.Durability
3.Portable
4.Aesthetics
5.Blueprints
6.Prototype
7.Iterations
8.Gusset
9.Reinforce
10.Centre of Gravity
11.Retractable
12.Engineering Design Process
13.Conceptualization
A.Ability of an object to collapse into itself or extend outward from itself.
B.The part of the Engineering Design Process involving planning the size, shape, materials used and construction procedure for an object.
C.A thin or thick, often triangular piece of material, used to reinforce a structure.
D.Ability of a structure to resist outside forces and remain upright and in position.
E.Easily movable from one location to another.
F.Define the problem. Research and brainstorm. Decide on a solution. Create a prototype. Test and redesign to make iterations. Consider aesthetic improvements.
G.Improved version of a product created after testing and improving.
H.The average location of an object’s weight. Having this lower to the ground tends to make the object more stable.
I.Making a structure or parts of a structure stronger.
J.Drawing or computer model of a design idea made by an architect or engineer.
K.The first version of a design idea that is produced.
L.Ability to last a long time, despite repeated usage.
M.Part of the design process that considers the visual appearance of an object or structure.
Related Fun Videos:
The "Hang Time" of basketball legend Michael Jordan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDbmcPnzwy4
How an Igloo keeps people warm - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L7EI0vKVuU
