CARDBOARD CHAIR

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1RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL MRS DENYER

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

CARDBOARD CHAIR
THE PROJECT: You will research, design, construct and test a full-sized, usable chair of cardboard, masking tape and glue that is capable of holding 200 pounds. RATIONALE: 1. Design is an endless process of solving problems in a creative way. When people solve problems, they need to: Identify the problem by stating it clearly Collect information Develop possible solutions Choose the best solution Implement the solution And then evaluate the solution It sometimes takes many tries before people get a solution to work effectively. There may also be more than one good solution to a problem. New information and events often make better solutions possible, and the whole problem-solving process starts up again. Every design uses a system, which is a group of parts that work together to achieve a goal. These parts include Input Process Output Feedback Every design also considers two very important aspects: Form Function You have the option of using your creative talents to earn lots of extra credit and express your own creativity through this project where you will design and build a cardboard chair.

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CHAIR PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS: The chair must conform to the following specifications: It must be made completely of cardboard, masking tape and/or glue. o NO OTHER MATERIAL IS ACCEPTABLE FOR THE STRUCTURAL COMPONENT. No wood, metal, plastic, paper or other material than the cardboard, tape and/or glue is acceptable. o However, it is acceptable to paint or otherwise decorate the chair after the structure is developed. It is possible to put paper or cloth on the surface for decorative purposes. o It is also possible to use foam rubber, paper or other padding on the seat and seating portion of the back of the chair for aesthetics and comfort. The limit for this padding is four inches (4"). The padding can in no way affect the structural form of the chair. It must have both a seat and back. The seat must be between 16 and 18 from the floor. The top of the back must be no less than 30 from the floor. A person sitting in the chair must be able to sit in a relaxed, comfortable, healthy, and safe position. It must support 200 pounds for at least three (3) minutes. It should be as attractive as possible. EXTRA CREDIT PROJECT This project is a fully optional, extra credit project. Each section of the project will be graded individually on the basis of time lines, content, completion and workmanship. This is a very good way to express yourself and bank quite a few extra credit points. GATHERING THE MATERIALS Each student is responsible for locating the materials required for building the model and the chair. The construction of the chair will be done outside of the classroom as a homework assignment. Some time will be provided in class to complete the required sketches/drawings. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES: Task #1: Research existing chair designs Study the designs of chairs you see around you.

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Look up chairs on the Internet and learn what designs have been used in the past. Provide a written summary, with illustrations, of designs that interest you o Submit that summary to ClassJump under the title chair history o Due: At Will o Value: up to 60 points extra credit

Task #2: Research cardboard materials How can cardboard be so strong? Provide a written summary of your findings, with resource annotations o Submit that summary to ClassJump under the title cardboard strength o Due: At Will o Value: up to 60 points extra credit Task #3: Develop a set of preliminary design sketches Develop a design for the chair you will construct Develop preliminary sketches of the design Show your design sketches to your teacher and obtain preliminary written approval for the design o Due: At Will o Value: up to 80 points extra credit Task #4: Develop a Completion Plan Once you have obtained approval for the project, you will begin to develop a plan for completing the project. As part of the process, you will: Develop a set of drawings for the project o There should be a top, front, and side views (be sure to consult with your teacher on this process so that you are certain that you are meeting the criteria) o Include details of any special design/construction features Formulate an explanation of how or why it will work You may either draw your design on the computer or by hand o Show your drawings and explanation to your teacher for approval and grade o Due: At Will o Value: up to 150 points extra credit Task #5: Materials List Compile a materials list for the chair you will construct

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o The materials will be limited to what you can obtain on your own outside of the classroom o Provide a short explanation of how you intend to obtain your materials o Reminder: Nothing beyond cardboard, tape and/or glue may be used in the project Submit your materials list to your teacher for approval o Due: At Will o Value: up to 60 points extra credit

Task #6: Equipment List Compile a list of equipment necessary to complete the project o Submit your list to ClassJump under the title cardboard supply & equipment o Due: At Will o Value: up to 40 points extra credit Task #7: Build a scale model of the chair Talk with your teacher about the scale you choose to use for this model Develop a plan of procedure for how you will construct the chair Create your model Submit your scale model and plan of procedure to the teacher o Due: At Will o Value: up to 150 points extra credit Task #8: Construct a prototype of your design After you have submitted your model and obtained final approval of your plan, you will begin to construct a prototype of your chair design. As part of the process, you will: Gather the necessary materials for the project Gather the necessary equipment for the project Construct the chair As you proceed with the project, you will make any necessary modifications to the chair design that may prove appropriate. As part of the process, you will: Determine what changes are necessary to increase the chair's strength, comfort and/or aesthetics Improve the design as much as you can Task #9: Testing Chairs will be subjected to a final testing of your product Submit your chair for testing

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o Due: At Will o Value: up to 400 points extra credit Task #10: Prototype Evaluation You will evaluate the results of the prototype testing As part of the evaluation process, you will write an evaluation of the final product and its test results. The evaluation will include what further modifications might be included to improve the design. Complete and submit a Design Evaluation Report of your prototype testing results o Due: Within two days of final testing o Value: up to 150 points extra credit CARDBOARD CHAIR PROCESS & PRODUCT SUMMARY: Your product will consist of:
Task #1: Research existing chair designs o Due: At Will o Value: up to 60 points extra credit Task #2: Research cardboard materials o Due: At Will o Value: up to 60 points extra credit Task #3: Develop a set of preliminary design sketches o Due: At Will o Value: up to 80 points extra credit Task #4: Develop a Completion Plan o Due: At Will o Value: up to 150 points extra credit Task #5: Materials List o Due: At Will o Value: up to 60 points extra credit Task #6: Equipment List o Due: At Will o Value: up to 40 points extra credit Task #7: Build a scale model of the chair o Due: At Will o Value: up to 150 points extra credit Task #8: Construct a prototype of your design Task #9: Testing o Due: At Will o Value: up to 400 points extra credit

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Task #10: Prototype Evaluation o Due: Within two days of final testing o Value: up to 150 points extra credit