RAD Engineering… Innovate & engineer... RApidly and Destructively

RAD Engineering: Innovate & Engineer Rapidly and Destructively! Join us for an exciting engineering design program where participants will have the opportunity to learn about different engineering concepts and put their skills to the test as they design, build, and test their own structures, vehicles, and tools using a combination of materials and technologies such as 3D printing, coding, and sensors. They will also have the chance to perform rocket surgery and 3D print flying machines while developing practical working knowledge of engineering principles and digital data gathering. This program is perfect for anyone interested in exploring the world of engineering, learning how to think creatively, solve problems quickly, and bring their ideas to life.

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Learning Objectives for RAD Engineering Summer STEM Program:

1) Students will learn the engineering principles and design process by creating models of towers and participating in tower building challenges. (Activity: Tower Building Challenge Part A and Stick Connectors Drone Tower Challenge Part B)

2) Students will develop coding skills and understand the use of sensors by programming a micro:bit to collect and record acceleration data. (Activity: Introduction to Coding with Micro:bit)

3) Students will apply engineering concepts to design and build spacecraft parachute recovery systems and water rocket parachutes. They will also learn about data gathering through sensors. (Activity: Space Capsule Parachute Recovery Challenge Part A and Water Rocket Parachute Challenge)

4) Students will gain practical experience in 3D printing and fabrication by designing and fabricating parts for electric gliders using Tinkercad and 3D printers. (Activity: Design and Planning, 3D Printing and Fabrication)

5) Students will apply their knowledge of drone mechanics and principles to design, 3D print, and attach tools to drones for a specific challenge. They will also test and refine their designs. (Activity: Drone Mission)

6) Students will explore the concepts of inertia and acceleration through designing and testing impact protection systems using sensors and 3D-printed components. (Activity: Inertia Crash Impact Protection Challenge and Physics Cart Crash Impact Challenge)

7) Students will engage in hands-on experimentation and design by creating their own unique dart launchers with 3D-printed parts and optimizing their designs for performance. (Activity: Launching Foam Darts with Foil Tape Fins from 3D-Printed Launchers)

By achieving these learning objectives, students will develop essential engineering skills, enhance their problem-solving abilities, and gain practical experience in applying STEM concepts to real-world challenges.

A Problem to Solve*

-This program will provide opportunities for students to make observations and hypotheses by engaging them in tower building challenges (Tower Building Challenge Part A) and designing spacecraft parachute recovery systems (Space Capsule Parachute Recovery Challenge Part A).

-This program will facilitate data collection and analysis by introducing students to sensors and programming a micro:bit to collect acceleration data (Introduction to Coding with Micro:bit).

-This program will encourage students to make and test models as they design electric gliders (Design and Planning) and develop tools for drone missions (Drone Mission).

This program will foster a culture where students can design and redesign their solutions by allowing them to refine their parachute designs for water rockets (Water Rocket Parachute Challenge) and modify their dart launchers for optimal performance (Launching Foam Darts with Foil Tape Fins from 3D-Printed Launchers).

Opportunities to Redesign or Reiterate

-This program will create spaces for reflection, revision, and refinement by incorporating reflection activities after each challenge, where students can evaluate their designs and identify areas for improvement.

-This program will encourage peer feedback by facilitating discussions and feedback sessions, where students can provide constructive feedback to each other and utilize the feedback to iterate and improve their designs.

-This program will provide opportunities for student voice and choice by allowing them to select their design options for tower building (Stick Connectors Drone Tower Challenge Part B) and drone tool creation (Drone Mission), and by giving them flexibility in modifying their electric gliders and dart launchers.

Towers & Space Capsules

1. Tower Building Challenge Part A
   1. Create models of towers.
2. Stick Connectors Drone Tower Challenge Part B 
   1. Build the tallest tower possible using craft sticks and 3D-printed stick connectors, and then land a drone on top.
3. Introduction to Coding with Micro:bit (1 hour)
   1. Use micro:bits to program a sensor to collect & record acceleration data
4. Space Capsule Parachute Recovery Challenge Part A (1 hour)
   1. Design and build a spacecraft parachute recovery system using a model space capsule and a sensor to record acceleration data
5. Water Rocket Parachute Challenge (1 hour)
   1. Participants will launch their parachute designs from water rockets and measure their success.

Electric Planes

1. Intro, safety, unboxing of electric glider toys
2. Design and Planning
   1. Design electric gliders using Tinkercad
3. 3D Printing and Fabrication
   1. Students will use 3D printers to fabricate parts for their electric gliders
4. Testing and Tuning 
   1. Students will assemble their modified electric gliders and test them in the indoor flight area. 1:30pm
5. Competition and Showcasing 
   1. Students will present their designs and explain the modifications they made

Drone Mission

1. Introduction to the challenge
2. Presentation on basic drone mechanics and principles 
3. Teams brainstorm and design their tool for the challenge 
4. Teams present their designs to the group and receive feedback
5. Teams use Tinkercad to finalize their designs and prepare for printing 
6. Teams 3D print their tools and attach them to the drones (45 minutes)
7. Teams test their tools and drones for functionality and make adjustments as needed (45 minutes)
8. Teams participate in the challenge with their drones and tools, attempting to complete as many objectives as possible (45 minutes)
9. Closing remarks and group discussion on what was learned (15 minutes)

Inertia & Acceleration

1. Inertia Crash Impact Protection Challenge
   1. Design and testing of a head injury abatement system using a mannequin head and a sensor for measuring acceleration.
2. Physics Cart Crash Impact Challenge
   1. Design two systems for keeping clay ‘occupants’ safe during car crashes and absorbing crash impacts using physics carts and sensors for measuring acceleration. Students will design crash impact structures in tinkercad and 3D print them.
3. Launching Foam Darts with Foil Tape Fins from 3D-Printed Launchers
   1. Design and create their own unique dart launcher with 3D-printed parts
   2. Test and modify their designs as necessary to achieve the farthest distance/most accuracy/most penetration