Speed vs Torque Engineering Design Project using VEX (Engineering/Robotics)

In this project students are tasked with working on an engineering design team in the development of a solution to a given problem. The provided scenario provides students the option of designing a remote-controlled car which either resembles a tow truck and is required to produce a high torque output, or a car that resembles a dragster and is required to produce a high-speed output. These contrasting problems are designed to show how gear trains can be used to change output speeds and torque and the importance for understanding concepts related to mechanical advantage.

Project instructions include a description of the scenario, problem/criteria, directions of the activity, self-evaluation questions, and a rubric. The lesson asks students to document their work in an engineering notebook, but this can be modified if you do not use these in your class.

The activity was designed with the VEX robotics system in mind, but the activity could be modified to use other platforms such as LEGO.