Engineering Fundamentals · Final challenge
Name: ________________ Date: __________
Rescue Mission Design Challenge
Mission brief
A supply package needs to travel across a dangerous area, avoid damage, and arrive safely. Your job is to design a system that moves or protects the package across the hazard using only the materials you are given. This is your final challenge - it pulls together everything from the whole course.
Chosen solution path
Check the one you are building.
- A bridge to carry the package across a gap
- A zipline carrier that slides the package across
- A parachute drop system that lowers it gently
- A crane or grabber that lifts and places it
- A protective package that survives the trip
- A small vehicle or sled that ferries it across
Design constraints
- The package must cross the hazard zone without being carried by hand.
- It has to arrive undamaged - crossing alone is not enough.
- Use only the materials provided.
- You get three test runs, and you may improve your design between runs.
Planning sketch
Draw your design and label the parts.
Materials used
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Cups
- String
- Tape
- Straws
- Popsicle sticks
- Rubber bands
- Index cards
- Paper clips
- A small object to use as the package
Test results
| Test | What to record | Try 1 | Try 2 | Try 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crossing test | Did the package reach the other side? (yes / no) | |||
| Safe-arrival test | Undamaged and upright, or dropped/damaged? | |||
| Reliability test | How many of the three runs succeed |
Redesign notes
What failed, and what one thing did you change before the next run?
Final presentation
1. What problem did you solve?
2. What did you build?
3. What failed at first?
4. What did you improve?
5. Which earlier lesson helped you most?
6. What would you change with more time?