Monday, July 19, 2010

Day 5 Friday 7/16/10- Engineering All Day

We spent the day on an engineering challenge. First, campers watched a "putt-putt" boat in operation.
The campers were then grouped up and asked to generate a quick presentation of how they thought the boat worked.

A detailed schematic.



After groups presented ideas to one another, each camper spent the rest of the day building a "putt-putt" boat. The build was fairly involved, as campers essentially made miniature steam engines, the energy for which is provided by a tea-light candle.




You're not working if you're not making a mess!

During the building process, campers were introduced to the ideas of quality control, design testing, and trouble-shooting. Here there checking to make sure their engines are water tight.
Back to the Drawing Board



At the end of the day, the campers got to test the boats they built in a waterway, and the operation of the engine was discussed in a large group setting.



Most of the engines worked great, and campers took the boats home at the end of the day.

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