Extra credits projects.

Spring ‘07

All extra credit projects include a 2-5 minutes presentation to the class.

1.- Produce a poster of at least 3ft by 2ft to illustrate alternative ways to power automobiles in the challenge of fuel shortage, with a summary of pros and cons, and a list of references including web pages. The poster should have a title and show your name as the author, it will be used to introduce high school students to the subject this Summer.  This will carry a maximum of 20 extra credit project points, adequate content and neat presentation will be weighed 50% and 50%, respectively.

2.- Build and submit a prototype of your design of a mechanical robot hand that can pick up and release simple objects. The hand can be operated manually, but the mechanism should be easy to see and work as a demo of a possible robot hand for high school students to see. This will carry a maximum of 20 extra credit project points, 30 if the hand is operated with an un-expensive motor, not manually. Simple design and aesthetics will be weighed 50% and 50%, respectively.

3.- Build and submit a demo of your design of a mechanism to lift something using a force which is half or less its weight. The demo should be table-top and the mechanisms are easily seen. It should serve as reliable demo for high school students. This will carry a maximum of 20 extra credit project points. Simple design and aesthetics will be weighed 50% and 50%, respectively.

4.- Build and submit a demo about this: “You are given an egg, some tape, and several drinking straws. Using only these materials, design a system that will prevent the egg from crashing when dropped from a height of six feet (two meters)”. This will carry a maximum of 10 extra credit project points. Simple design and aesthetics will be weighed 50% and 50%, respectively.