XE 1104

Team Project #2

Edible Car Competition

Spring 2004

 

Project Instructions

 

Edible Car Rules

Each team is made up of 4 students (the same teams as your ethics team assignment), who will design and build a car using only edible materials (either raw or cooked/prepared, but all food items used must be edible by humans).  The final car must "look like" a car and must not exceed the following dimensions:  4 inches wide (including wheels and hub caps); 4 inches tall (including windshield, car roof, people, etc,); and 12 inches long (including front and rear bumpers and any other extensions).  The car must operate on three or four rotating "wheels" and roll successfully down a ramp that is 8 to 10 feet in length and is inclined at approximately 30 degrees (must be able to survive 3 runs down the ramp, if necessary).  The ramp will be covered with aluminum foil and will have side rails.  An itemized list of all materials used in the car, along with their estimated costs (total estimate less than $10; receipts not necessary), and a statement of the theme or purpose for the car design should be submitted with the car.  Each team member should also submit an individual project log.

Judging Criteria

I.  Engineering Design Category (Total possible points = 30)

1.  Correct size:  Length, width, height (total = 10 points)

bullet   0: no dimensions were met
bullet   1: one dimension was met
bullet   3: two dimension were met
bullet 10: all three dimensions were met

2.  Edible Materials (total = 10 points)

bullet Any car not made completely out of edible materials will be disqualified  
bullet 4: have parts list
bullet 2: have total cost of car under $10
bullet 2: number of edible materials 1-5
bullet 2: number of edible materials greater than 5

 

3.  Effective Axle/Wheel Design (total = 5 points)

Note: sliding down the incline does not count; the car must roll on the wheels down the incline to count

bullet   0: car does not start on its own or slides
bullet   1: car rolls down incline with assistance
bullet   2: car rolls poorly down incline but without assistance
bullet   3: car completes run down incline without assistance but hits     the rails on the way down
bullet   5: car completes run down incline without assistance and without hitting the rails

4.  Durability (total = 5 points) (car must make it down incline in order to gain points for durability)

bullet   1: car slides down incline (does not roll) but stays intact
bullet   2: car makes one run down incline, unable to make second
bullet   3: car makes two runs down incline, requiring minor repairs
bullet   5: car makes two runs down incline with no repairs 

II. Creativity Category (Total possible points = 20)

1.  Use of Car Accessories/Attachments (total = 10 points)

2.   Degree of Creativity (total = 10 points)

bullet   2: use of a theme, slogan or purpose
bullet   2: use of a clever idea or material
bullet   2: use of different colors or textures
bullet   2: car-like appearance
bullet   2: unique uses of materials for special effects

 III.  Speed Category (Total possible points = 20)

This is a test of the actual performance of the car that is dependent upon the wheel and axle design along with the aerodynamic assessment of the car.

The fastest fifteen incline completion times receive 5 to 20 points, depending upon placement (the fastest time receives 20 points; the 15th placed time receives 5 points).  A car must roll on its wheels to qualify for time.  Sliding vehicles do not qualify.