We use electricity every day. Whether it is the computer to surf the web, 
the refrigerator that keeps our food cold or the lights that allow us to see, our lives depend a lot on it. Power systems are what supply the electricity we use! Most of the time, the power works completely normally but what happens if a hurricane comes? Or a tornado? Or even a thunderstorm? Would the power still work like it is supposed to? That is why we need to design power systems that are robust!
In the same way we would want power systems to work properly during big storms, we would want boats to be strong as well. So, pretend the boat is a power system and make it as robust as possible to survive the storm with no problem!
The student handout will be given to all students working on the design challenge. It gives a brief recap of the story, it helps the students identify what they are attempting to achieve, and it recaps the design process.
Boat/Power System Challenge TEK8 Instructor’s Guide
This Instructor’s Guide provides the instructor additional information on how to run the design challenge with alternatives for materials and test setups as well as information to help make the design challenge a good educational experience.
The Telling the Story Video conveys the societal impact of the student’s research that is the basis for the design challenge and will set the problem-solving context for students.
The Design Challenge Video leads students through the design process. It indicates materials available, states what the criteria are for success and any constraints. It also gives a second ‘level’ of the design challenge that allows ‘early completers’ to move on to a slightly more difficult challenge.
The presentation can be used in conjunction or in place of the Design Challenge Video.