MESA USA Announces New National Challenge - 8/1/2006
   

MESA USA is pleased to share the next National Engineering Design Competition, the Multi-Task Trebuchet Challenge. After three excellent years the Multi-Purpose Vehicle Challenge, this new event will also challenge students to explore science concepts and design solutions in much the same way. Students and Teachers are encouraged to take on this challenge. Mini-Trebuchets shown provide a great way to explore! GOOD LUCK!

The Multi-Task Trebuchet event provides a unique challenge to MESA student teams across the country. Given a group of design characteristics that limit the available energy, teams will design a single small trebuchet capable of completing the following three tasks:

  • Distance - Throw a single hacky sack weighing a minimum of 40 grams as far as possible
  • Accuracy - Throw a single hacky sack weighing a minimum of 40 grams as near a possible to two targets:
    • Target 1 - 6.25 meters away with a radius of 125 centimeters
    • Target 2 - 10.00 meters away with a radius of 200 centimeters
  • Strength (high school only) - Throw as many hacky sacks as possible through a vertical target as possible given two throws

The Challenge: Design a device that performs as well as possible in all tasks. Through experimentation and testing develop a thorough knowledge of device mechanics and performance. Additionally, student teams will gain bonus points for design by comparing device performance to the device mass. This element encourages students to incorporate a design that achieves the greatest performance with the lightest possible device mass. And finally, student teams will prepare a Technical Paper, Academic Display & Oral Presentation for the National Competition. This emphasis on communication elements fosters the development of many skills that ensure student success as they proceed to postsecondary education.

Event Guides and Scoring Tools

Support Materials for National Competition

The following materials have been prepared by committee members for use at Teacher/Advisor Workshops. We feel they are a good starting point for becoming familiar with the Multi-Task Trebuchet events. Feel free to use and share these ideas and materials. These materials are not intended to provide a solution to the challenge, only to suggest a strategy for exploration and problem-solving by students.

Enjoy!
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