15 Achievements
This was a challenge where we had to create a functioning boat made out of only duct tape and cardboard. There is a pilot in the boat, and there a multiple challenges and achievements that have to be overcome.
Define the Problem and Brainstorm Solutions
Problem: Navigate a cardboard boat, covered in duct tape, across a pool surface with a human inside.
1. Lightweight
2. Sturdy
3. Completely covered in tape
4. Tall sides so water can't get in
5. Large surface area
6. Not too heavy
7. Strong enough to hold a person
8. Not too big
9. Leave no holes
10. Build v-bottom
11. Don't stand on it for too long
12. Don't splash or water will get in
13. Don't shift weight quickly
14. Measure the width of the door for size
15. Use a ruler when cutting cardboard for straight edges
16. Use precise measurements
17. Be careful with the knife
18. Don't bend the cardboard
19. Remove air bubbles while taping
20. Don't bend tape and make precise tape placement
Criteria & Constraints
Criteria:
• Build a watercraft that allows you to traverse the CHS swimming pool.
• Your "boat" must float at least one student through the course of the competition.
Implied:
Has to fit through the door
Constraints:
• You may only use Cardboard and Duct Tape for this event.
• All Staples or other foreign material must be removed from your cardboard. If we trash the pool, we will not be invited back for other activities during the year (yes, we have other activities in mind for 2nd semester).• Cardboard must meet our quality standard and be approved by the instructor (more info to follow)
• Each boat must have a minimum of a 3" tall "sidewall" (no completely flat designs).
• All exposed cardboard must be covered in duct tape (this will reduce cardboard disintigration in the pool).
• Each team will be provided one "versa table" cardboard box piece and three 60yrd rolls of duct tape. Any materials beyond this (likely need more cardboard) need to be resourced by your team.
Implied:
You must create the box yourself
Sketch Ideas
Prototype Ideas
Standard 4-wall design
Slanted Front Design
6 Wall Design (pointed front)
Select an Approach
(+) - Our design has several different approaches .
(-) - The design best design is not very sturdy and can have some water easily get into it.
(?) - Which concept has the least faults?
(!) - The flat box might be the best.
The Early Bird Gets the Achievement
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This was our final build taped up.
Videographer
Feedback
(+) - Our surface area worked out really well.
(Change) - I would cover the corners and little spots where water got in.
(?) - Would a V-Shape design had been better?
(!) - Having more ductape around key spots would have stopped water from getting in.
The simple design worked well to our advantage.
The weight of the pilot was beneficial.
We could have built sides more well built.
A better paddle could have been a lot better to get around.
We got a lot of water in our boat.
Taller walls would have been better.
How Low Did You Go?
Our boat lasted about 15-30 minutes. No, it wasn't surprising when our boat went down because the cardboard was completely wet. The pilot weighed about 160 pounds. Our depth was roughly half a foot.
Balance Master
The boat sunk underwater, but the pilot was still standing on it for the 5 seconds.
The Farthest
We were doing laps for the length of the time in the pool.
Redesign
We would make a two-ply of tape on our boat.
Wear A Captain's Hat (make your own)
Wear a captain's hat through the midst of the competition.
Surface area!
About 3000 inches^2,
22.5 square feet can be covered with one roll
84 square feet can be covered with all of our duct tape
73% efficiency
Beat Mr. Olson In A Race
I raced our instructor in a race for a lap in the pool, along with the rest of our class.
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