Name: ___________________________
Instructor: Henry Chen
chenry333@gmail.com
Toy Design : Yo-Yo
Have you ever played with a yo-yo before. Many generations of children have enjoyed this tricky toy.
A yo-yo is a simple toy that dates back to the 500 B.C. It consists of a string wound in between two
halves and is well known for its up and down motion.
In the space provided below draw as accurately as you can, a picture of a yo-yo.
After you have drawn your design take a moment to view some real yo-yo's. Sketch a picture of them
and compare them to your first depiction of a yo-yo above. What features are different or similar?
Machines and toys are often designed to very specific specifications. Take several minutes to
brainstorm about the important features of a yo-yo and their purpose. Feel free to compare your yoyo drawing to a real yo-yo for ideas. The goal here is to come up with all the important elements that
go into constructing a yo-yo.
Now that you have identified some important features and their purpose you will construct your own
yo-yo to specification. There are three challenges. You will be allowed to use any of the materials on
the table.
When designing your yo-yo for each challenge, keep in mind what feature of the yo-yo you should
focus on in order to achieve the prescribed goal.
Challenge 1: Construct a yo-yo that will spin as it drops. At the end, the yo-yo will be able to return
back to the hand by tugging up.
What feature is necessary in order for the yo-yo to spin as it drops? What feature is necessary for the
yo-yo to return to your hand by tugging up? Draw a sketch of your prototype yo-yo. Construct your
design!
Does your design fulfill the challenge? Does your prototype resemble your sketch.
How can you improve on your design?
Challenge 2: Improve on your prototype by enabling it to spin at the end of the string when you drop it.
This is known as a “sleeper”.
What feature is necessary in order for the yo-yo to spin at the end of the string? Draw a sketch of your
prototype yo-yo. Construct your design!
How did your yo-yo change from Challenge 1 to Challenge 2? Does your design fulfill the challenge?
Does your prototype resemble your sketch.
How can you further improve on your design?
Challenge 3: Improve the design of your yo-yo by increasing the spin time of your “sleeper”.
What feature will improve the spin time of the yo-yo? Draw a sketch of your prototype yo-yo.
Construct your design!
How did you your yo-yo further evolve from Challenge 2 to Challenge 3? Does your design fulfill the
challenge? Does your prototype resemble your sketch.
Are there any ways you can even further increase sleep time?
What challenges were your yo-yo successful in?
What are the limitations of your prototype yo-yo?
Name three things you have learned about yo-yo design?
What have you learned today?
How did you learn it?
What remained unclear?
If you were the instructor what would you do differently?