Name:__________________ Period:________
Activity Challenge: Fling Machine
Introduction
There are many ways to solve a problem. Sometimes it is as simple as applying a piece of duct
tape. Other times it takes months or years for a product to progress from an idea into full-scale
production. In this activity you will quickly design and build a device that will send a cotton ball as
far as possible through the air. The device must work effectively at least ten times without
requiring repair.
Materials









Scissors
2 cotton balls
1 balloon
2 rubber bands
2 paper clips
2 straws
2 craft sticks
2 pipe cleaners
12 inches of masking tape
Procedure – YOU HAVE ONE CLASS PERIOD TO COMPLETE THESE!!
1. Using only the materials specified, design and build a device to launch a cotton ball from
three feet above the floor and send it as far as possible in a specified direction. You must
document your steps as outline on the Design Process page. You must also complete the
Decision making matrix with your partner.
2. Using Mr. Hanley’s camera - take a picture of your device before testing. Include in your
picture a piece of paper with your name on it so that it can be identified later.
3. Evaluate your solution. Choose a direction in which to launch the cotton ball. Perform ten
successive test firings of your device. On the attached page, create a chart/table to record
the distance traveled by the cotton ball (to the nearest quarter inch) of ten successive
attempts. If your device is damaged, malfunctions, or is plagued by operator error and the
cotton ball does not move in the chosen direction, record the distance as zero and include
a reason for the malfunction (e.g., device broken, cotton ball fell from pre-launch position
prior to firing, cotton ball launched in the wrong direction, etc.).
4. Take a picture of your device after testing. Include in your picture a piece of paper with your
name on it so that it can be identified later.
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Instant Challenge: Fling Machine – Page 1
Design Process Step
Define Problem
What are you being asked to do?
Generate Concepts
Sketch in PLTW Engineering Notebook.
List page numbers here:
Develop a Solution
Complete the Decision Making Matrix.
Construct and Test
Prototype
Evaluate Solution –
Write a paragraph
explaining if your solution
worked.
Follow Directions on first page.
On attached answer sheet.
What were your results?
Present Solution
We will not complete this step for this activity.
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Instant Challenge: Fling Machine – Page 2
__________________________________ Matrix Template
1. In the criteria boxes list the criteria from your design brief.
2. Under the ideas boxes put your 3 ideas and your partners 3 ideas – label the sketches A, B, C,
D, E, and F.
3. Evaluate the design idea for each criteria, giving it a value between 1 and 4, 1 means it doesn’t
meet this criteria, 4 means this is the best possible solution to the problem for this specific
need.
4. If your criteria is a question, use 1 if the answer is no, 2 if the answer is yes.
5. When you finish evaluating your sketches add the numbers across and put your answer in the
Total column.
6. The design with the highest total is your Best Solution.
Criteria
Ideas
Uses only Can be
required
built in
material
time
required
Able to
be fired
multiple
times
Other:
Other:
Other:
Totals
A
Designed
by:
B
Designed
by:
C
Designed
by:
D
Designed
by:
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Instant Challenge: Fling Machine – Page 3
E
Designed by:
F
Designed by:
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Instant Challenge: Fling Machine – Page 4
Create a chart/table to record your results here:
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Instant Challenge: Fling Machine – Page 5
Write your evaluation paragraph here:
© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Instant Challenge: Fling Machine – Page 6