Grade 9 Power and Energy Technology

Hurricane Hovercrafts!

Introduction

Hurricane Katrina just hit New Orleans and many people have been left stranded in their
homes. The American government, despite their best efforts, has been having trouble getting
boats to a number of locations throughout the city. They figure the best way to save the people
would be through the utilizing of hovercrafts. They have asked the public to help with quickly
making these special vehicles to help in the rescue efforts. You look around your garage for items
that will help develop a mini prototype before you build the actual hovercraft. As you look you
see electric motors, Styrofoam plates and trays, some mini propellers, plastic bags, computer
fans, and some batteries. Do you have what it takes to build a craft worthy of saving lives?

 This assignment will require you to keep all of your work neat and organized using
a project folder. Each section of your project folder must carry the headings of the
design process.

 This means that you have one section called Identification of a Problem, The Design
Brief, Investigation and Research, etc. as indicated in the diagram above.

Identification of the problem: It is stated in the story/

The Design Brief: Here you discuss what you need to do to solve the problem.
Investigation and Research: Here you will look at things that other people have created for a
similar problem. You will also have to figure out what types of tools and resources were needed
to solve the problem. Be sure to cover all of the angles!

Investigation and Research: Here you will research other designs created by other people. You
will also need to investigate how hovercrafts are propelled and inflated. Look for three different
ideas and post the pictures in your Slideshare. Look for two videos and post the video in your
Slideshare.

Generating alternative solutions: Here you try to generate three possible solutions to your
problem using sketches with labels.

Choosing a solution: Here you state which solution you are going to use out of your three
sketches and explain why you chose it. You must include a clean drawing of your hovercraft
showing the top view, front view and side view. You must also give approximate dimensions to
show size and height of the hovercraft.

Developing the solution: Here you begin to build your hovercraft, which you will document by
taking pictures and placing them in your portfolio.

Testing / redesigning and Improving: Here you will test (if possible) your solution and
comment on redesigning and improving it.

Limitations
 Students will work with a partner or a group of three.
 You may use any materials in the lab or materials outside of the lab with the permission
of the instructor.
Design Unit Requirements
 You must have a portfolio/project folder that follows the steps of the design process.
 Be sure to write down the websites of any information you borrow.
 Be sure to include your rough sketches.
 Be sure to include your CAD drawing.
 Must complete a model of the proposed habitat.
 Be prepared to display your projects to others.

How to Layout Your Portfolio

Table of Contents Identification of the
Problem.
1. Identification of the
Problem *Here you state the story
“Title” 2. The Design Brief given.
1109 Design Tech 3. Investigation & * You state the actual
Research problem.
4. G.A.S
5. Choose Solution
6. Develop Solution
7. Improve/Redesign
Your name 8. Summary

The Design Brief Investigation and Generating Alternative

*Here you state the types
of things you will need in
your design (e.g. # of
seats)
*you will also state the
tools and resources
needed. E.g. pencil,
cardboard, etc.
Research
*Here you will research
different ideas.
You will also look for
things that you will need
in your design. E.g type
of harness (seatbelts).
*Print pictures and info
*Record websites used
Solutions
*Here you develop three
very good sketches of
three different designs
that you may consider
using.

Choose a Solution Develop the Solution Improve/Redesigning

*Here you will choose a
solution and explain why
you chose it over the
three other designs.
* you will also have to
produce an orthographic
drawing of the design
you are going to build.
*Here you will begin
building your prototype.
*Be sure to include
pictures of the building
of your project.
*Here you will comment
on your project and
suggest ways in which
you might be able to
make improvements on
it.
* you will also note any
changes that you made to
your original design.

Summary

*Here you write a

conclusion about
everything you did.