3D Printed Rotational Inertia Derby

Lesson Summary

In this multi-day, hands-on lab, students explore various aspects of objects to determine what affects the transformation of gravitational potential energy to rotational and translational kinetic energy. Using their findings, they collaborate in groups to design, draft, 3D-print, and “slow race” a unique object/vehicle.

TIPC Ratings

Research & Information Fluency

Rating: Ideal

Explanation:

• Students determined which variables to manipulate when designing objects for the “slow race” (i.e. thickness, length, smoothness, etc)
• Students developed their own procedure for analysis, determining which measurements they would need to take in order to analyze each object’s performance.

Communication & Collaboration

Rating: Approaching

Explanation:

• The teacher provided a HyperDoc template in which students could engage in meaningful communication and purposeful collaboration both during and outside of class time.
• Students worked collaboratively, in self-selected groups, to discuss the pros and cons of each individual design, and to collaboratively design a final object that incorporates various elements from the individual designs.
• Students used a shared HyperDoc to compile their work and provide feedback on objects individually designed by each group member.
• In a shared HyperDoc, students completed a final lab report/analysis.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Rating: Ideal

Explanation:

• Through the process of creating a final design that incorporates various beneficial elements from the group members’ individual designs, students justified their descision-making practices.
• After 3D printing the objects for each group, some groups tested their objects and chose to modify their designs for better (slower) performance. For these groups, the modified object was 3D printed and the original object was not used.

Creativity & Innovation

Rating: Approaching

Explanation:

• Through the design process, students analyze trends and make predictions that inspire new solutions to the authentic task of creating an object that will be the last to reach the bottom of a ramp.