These four design-based, STEM activities task students with developing a bumper that absorbs impact, while also meeting specific size and mass parameters. Students work through the discovery-based activities to develop a conceptual foundation and mathematical approach for the design before constructing their final prototype.
Designing a bumper that can absorb impact is simple, but designing a bumper that must also conform to specific design constraints such as size and mass is not. Through four activities, students will develop the conceptual foundation and mathematical approach to meet the design challenge. These activities include:
- Area Under a Curve
- Momentum
- Momentum-Impulse
- Peak Force
These activities guide students through "engineering research" that equips them with the tools and knowledge necessary to design and build a successful prototype bumper.
