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12th Grade
- Project
- 5 weeks
Hoop Dreams: Crafting a Wooden Basketball Goal
Purpose
Embark on a journey to explore the fascinating intersection of engineering principles and materials science as you design and construct a durable and safe wooden basketball hoop. This project will challenge you to apply your knowledge of structural engineering, focusing on load distribution and tension, to ensure your hoop can withstand the rigors of play. By collaborating with a local community center, you'll have the opportunity to test your creation with youth basketball programs, gaining valuable feedback on its performance and safety. Throughout this process, you'll document your experiences in a journal, reflecting on the challenges faced and the solutions devised, while deepening your understanding of the engineering and materials science concepts involved. Ultimately, you'll showcase your work at a 'Design and Dunk Fair,' engaging the community with interactive sessions that highlight the thoughtful engineering behind your project.
Learning goals
In this project, you will delve into the world of engineering principles and materials science as you embark on the journey to create a durable and safe wooden basketball hoop. You'll explore the core concepts of structural engineering, such as load distribution and tension, to ensure your hoop can withstand the dynamic forces of play. By engaging with community partners at a local youth basketball program, you'll have the opportunity to test your hoop and gather valuable feedback on its performance and safety. Throughout the process, you'll document your design and building journey in a journal, reflecting on the challenges you encounter and the solutions you devise. This hands-on experience will culminate in a detailed written report that showcases your understanding of engineering principles and materials science, complete with sketches, material choices, and a testing process. Finally, you'll share your work with the community at a 'Design and Dunk Fair,' where you can demonstrate the durability and safety of your full-sized wooden basketball hoop, while educating others on the engineering and materials science behind it.
Standards
- NGSS - HS-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
- NGSS - HS-PS2-6: Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials.
- Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Products
In this project, you will design and construct a full-sized wooden basketball hoop using sustainable materials. You will also develop a detailed written report that includes sketches, material choices, and the testing process, showcasing your understanding of engineering principles and materials science. Additionally, you will organize a 'Design and Dunk Fair' to exhibit your project and engage the community in interactive sessions, demonstrating the durability and safety of your hoop. Through this process, you will gain hands-on experience with engineering concepts and receive valuable feedback from a community center that offers youth basketball programs.
Launch
Kick off your project with a 'Mini Hoop Challenge,' where you'll build simple prototypes of mini basketball hoops. This hands-on activity will introduce you to key engineering concepts like stability and safety. By experimenting with different designs and materials, you'll gain valuable insights into load distribution and tension, setting the stage for the construction of your full-sized hoop. Invite friends or family to test your mini hoops, providing you with immediate feedback and sparking your creativity for the main project. This engaging start will not only make the learning process fun but also equip you with practical skills and a deeper understanding of the engineering principles you'll need to succeed.
Exhibition
To showcase your hard work and the knowledge you've gained, organize a 'Design and Dunk Fair' as the grand finale of your project. This event will allow you to display your full-sized wooden basketball hoop, highlighting the engineering principles and materials science considerations that went into its creation. Set up interactive sessions where attendees can learn about the design process, material choices, and testing procedures. Invite community members, including the youth from the basketball programs, to test the hoop and provide feedback. This exhibition not only celebrates your achievements but also educates others about the intricacies of designing a durable and safe basketball hoop.
Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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Activities |
Day 1: Project Kick-off Meeting - Discuss project objectives, timeline, and expectations. Introduce the project purpose and learning goals.
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Day 2: Background Research - Explore engineering principles related to load distribution and tension. Research materials science focusing on wooden structures.
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Day 3: Mini Hoop Challenge Planning - Design simple prototypes of mini basketball hoops, considering stability and safety. Plan materials and tools needed.
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Day 4: Mini Hoop Construction - Build mini basketball hoop prototypes using different designs and materials. Test stability and load distribution.
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Day 5: Feedback and Reflection - Invite friends/family to test mini hoops. Gather feedback and document insights in a journal. Reflect on learnings and challenges faced.
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Deliverables |
1. Project Kick-off Meeting Notes
2. Research Summary on Engineering Principles and Materials Science 3. Mini Hoop Prototype Designs and Material List 4. Completed Mini Hoops 5. Journal Entry Reflecting on Mini Hoop Challenge and Feedback |
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Preparation |
Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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Activities |
Day 1: Analysis and Iteration - Review feedback from mini hoop tests. Identify key insights and areas for improvement in design and materials.
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Day 2: Advanced Research - Dive deeper into structural engineering concepts, focusing on load distribution and tension. Explore sustainable materials suitable for a full-sized hoop.
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Day 3: Full-Sized Hoop Design - Begin drafting designs for the full-sized wooden basketball hoop. Consider engineering principles and feedback from mini hoop tests.
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Day 4: Material Selection - Choose appropriate sustainable materials for the full-sized hoop. Document reasons for choices, considering durability and safety.
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Day 5: Design Review and Feedback Session - Present initial designs and material choices to peers or mentors. Gather constructive feedback and make necessary adjustments to the design.
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Deliverables |
1. Feedback Analysis Report from Mini Hoop Tests
2. Advanced Research Summary on Structural Engineering and Sustainable Materials 3. Initial Full-Sized Hoop Design Sketches 4. Material Selection Justification Document 5. Design Review Feedback and Revised Sketches |
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Preparation |
Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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Activities |
Day 1: Construction Planning - Develop a detailed construction plan for the full-sized wooden basketball hoop. Identify necessary tools, allocate tasks, and set a timeline.
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Day 2: Safety and Stability Analysis - Conduct a thorough analysis of the hoop design focusing on safety and stability. Ensure compliance with engineering standards and best practices.
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Day 3: Material Procurement - Source and acquire all necessary sustainable materials and tools required for the construction of the full-sized hoop.
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Day 4: Construction Day 1 - Begin constructing the base and support structure of the basketball hoop, focusing on the foundation and stability aspects.
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Day 5: Construction Day 2 - Continue constructing the hoop, assembling the backboard and rim. Ensure all components are securely attached and stable.
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Deliverables |
1. Detailed Construction Plan Document
2. Safety and Stability Analysis Report 3. Material Procurement List 4. Partially Constructed Basketball Hoop (Base and Support Structure) |
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Preparation |
Week 4 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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Activities |
Day 1: Construction Day 3 - Finalize the assembly of the wooden basketball hoop. Focus on ensuring all components are properly aligned and securely fastened.
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Day 2: Initial Testing and Adjustments - Conduct initial tests on the hoop. Check for stability, load distribution, and tension. Make necessary adjustments to improve performance.
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Day 3: Safety Inspection - Perform a thorough safety inspection, verifying that all structural components meet safety standards and guidelines.
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Day 4: Community Center Setup - Transport the completed hoop to the local community center. Collaborate with staff to set up the hoop for testing with youth basketball programs.
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Day 5: User Testing and Feedback Collection - Observe community center youth as they use the hoop. Gather feedback on performance and safety. Document insights and suggestions for further improvements.
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Deliverables |
1. Finalized Wooden Basketball Hoop
2. Initial Testing and Adjustment Report 3. Safety Inspection Report 4. User Feedback Collection Document |
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Preparation |
Week 5 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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Activities |
Day 1: Feedback Analysis - Review and analyze feedback from the community center testing. Identify key areas for improvement in design, materials, or construction.
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Day 2: Final Adjustments - Make any necessary adjustments or enhancements to the basketball hoop based on feedback. Ensure all changes maintain safety standards.
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Day 3: Report Writing - Begin drafting the detailed written report. Include sketches, material choices, testing processes, and insights from feedback.
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Day 4: Final Report Completion - Complete the written report, ensuring it clearly conveys engineering principles and materials science concepts.
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Day 5: Design and Dunk Fair Preparation - Organize the setup for the 'Design and Dunk Fair.' Prepare interactive sessions and materials to engage the community and demonstrate the project's engineering aspects.
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Deliverables |
1. Feedback Analysis Summary
2. Final Adjustments Documentation 3. Completed Detailed Written Report 4. Design and Dunk Fair Setup Plan |
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Preparation |