Concussion Project: Goal Build a helmet prototype. This prototype will be tested on an egg.

You may work in pairs or individuals to complete this project.

Schedule
Category Pages Due Date
Sports-Related Injuries 2-3 November 3rd
Research and Design Note
Sheet

Engineering Design Process 4-6 November 10th

Planning Worksheet

Prototype Construction, Testing, 6-8 November 15th

and Explanation

Engineering Design Process Planning Worksheet developed by Greg Strimel

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Name: Maryam Najeeb Date:
Sports-Related Head Injuries
Directions: Research concussions, how they are caused, where the specific design improvements
need to occur, what causes a concussions, if there is a specific force needed for a concussion to
occur, and how to prevent a concussion from happening.

1. Concussions

Definition Symptoms and Diagnostic Test

A concussion is a blow in the head that may or - Headaches

may not cause loss of consciousness. It usually
occurs when the brain gets hit really hard and
the brain hits the walls of the skull with the
harsh movement, potentially causing temporary
brain damage
- Sensitive to light and noise
- Feeling lazy and down
- Problems in balance
- Confusion and trouble recalling informations
Diagnostic tests
- CT scans can identify tissue damage in the
brain
- MRI scans identify any bleeding or swelling
- Post concussion symptom scale (PCSS)
- Standard Assessment of Concussion (SAC)

Causes Prevention

Caused by sudden blows on the head by
sports, a ball hitting the head, bumping head on
wall, being hit by any external object forcefully
on the head, or any action that causes a
disturbance in the placement of the head
To prevent a concussion, one must wear
protective head gear to protect the head
especially when participating in activities that
contain risks of being hit on the head. For
example wearing head gear in sports like bike
riding, football, and skiing.

Interesting Facts: - Most concussions only last from a few days to a few weeks depending on
severity and they rarely cause permanent damage.

Sources: https://nyulangone.org/conditions/concussion/diagnosis

https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_symptoms.html

https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_whatis.html

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Name: Date:

Design Note Sheet

Directions: Conduct research on three different helmet designs for the same sport. Identify your
sources on the back of this sheet.
Picture of Helmet

- Allows for ventilation - EPS foam to resist - Contains PC outer

and comfortability impact on inside shell and EPS plastic
- Reflective decals to be - Clearly visible by cars inner shell which give
seen in dark locations and people with LED extra durability
Safety Features

- Contains a crash lights - These materials also

sensor which notifies
people in emergencies
- Displays turn signals to are lightweight which
let drivers know which allow comfort ability in
direction you are wearing it
heading.
- Has ABS material in
shell which adds extra
protection

- Ventilation allows riders to use - Foam on inside absorbs shock when - Contains durable plastic
the user falls
How is the proposed

it for a long amount of time

- LED lights allow others to know that on the inside and outside
without taking it off because of
design going to

air cooling effects

- Reflectivity allows safe riding
during the night
- Sensor brings help to those
who crash and can’t help
themselves
a biker is present, which is useful in to absorb some of the
cities
- Turn signals prevent crashes
impact
because they indicate to the person - Lightweight materials
behind them where they are heading
contain more air which
if they are driving on the road
- Hard shell on the outside minimize
acts like foam to absorb
impact and shock that passes to the pressure and allow
foam which absorbs most of the comfortability
shock.

Sources: https://yakkay.com/collections/helmets/products/black-helmet
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/echelon-ii/p/162031?color=251037-162031&ranMID=49187&ranEAID=7m8EnekPF5E&ranSiteID=7m8EnekPF5E-
2sLDNBB_Hr7pCH_MPEsOqg&utm_source=rakuten_usa&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_content=1175651&utm_campaign=The+Wirecutter

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088YV2DDL?tag=1263308-shoppinghelmets-20

Engineering Design Process Planning Worksheet developed by Greg Strimel

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Engineering Design Process Planning Worksheet developed by Greg Strimel
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 Engineering Design Process Planning Worksheet
Maryam Najeeb TEAM MEMBERS:
NAME:
11/25/22 12/7/22
DATE STARTED: DUE DATE:
DEFINE THE PROBLEM Develop a helmet the protects an egg from impact
What is the problem you are trying to solve?
Problem Statement:
A helmet that should be designed to protect an egg from all sides when impact occurs as while
keeping the egg in tact

Design Brief:
The design will be a cardboard box filled with soft material in which the egg lays around. The outer
surrounding of the cardboard will have foam blocks on each side
BRAINSTORMING
In the space below generate a mind-map of all of the possible concepts and ideas that need to be
explored in developing a solution to your problem. Remember there should be no limitations at this
point, so be creative!

- How to make the egg stable “inside” the contraption so it doesn’t crack when it falls.
- What material is the best to use on the inside for maximum protection? Soft foam or hard
foam?
- How will the cardboard act as a strong barrier to keep the shock from entering to the egg
- Where will I place the foam pieces on the outside that absorb the shock
- How big should I make the foam pieces that surround the contraption?

RESEARCH & GENERATE IDEAS

In the space below, answer the questions and document your research. Be sure to include proper
citations!
What are the mathematics concepts required to create a solution to this problem?
Measure a proportional width that can adequately absorb the shock from all sides. The
measurements need to be short enough to be compact and not take more space than it should and
large enough to old the pressure and shock. The math concepts used should be relative to area and
perimeter because those formulas are needed to measure the amount of surface needed to ake the
right measurement
Another math concept is to find the percentage of drop rate by making a ration of the amount of times
the object cracked per total drops, turning it into a decimal, and multiplying it by 100 (This concept
was made by me to specifically calculate the probability of the egg cracking
What are the science concepts required to create a solution to this problem?
Experimenting with different materials of different densities and structures that effect the efficiency
of blocking out the shock and absorbing it instead of letting it pass through the medium easily with
full strength into the egg.
Finding the final velocity is a science concept that can be used because it can show how different the
force is when the contraption is dropped from every single height. The final velocity is calculated by
multiplying the acceleration by the amount of time to drop the object.
Vf=gt
What have others done to address this problem?

Engineering Design Process Planning Worksheet developed by Greg Strimel

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Focused on building a string and sturdy structure to protect the egg. They have also considered using
impulse and force formulas as additional science concept for the build
What other ideas do you have?
Testing several mediums and building layers with them from thickest/densest to thinnest and
lightest
Notes:
APA Citations:

8.1 linear momentum, force, and Impulse - Physics. OpenStax. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2022, from
https://openstax.org/books/physics/pages/8-1-linear-momentum-force-and-impulse#:~:text=net
%20%CE%94%20t%20.-,%CE%94%20p%20%3D%20F%20net%20%CE%94%20t%20.,to%20the
%20change%20in%20momentum.

Free fall - determining how fast? and how far? The Physics Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1,
2022, from https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-5/How-Fast-and-How-Far

IDENTIFYING CRITERIA & CONSTRAINTS

List what has to happen to solve the problem and constraints that you have. (people, time, materials,
capital…)
I will improvise to the best of my ability using what I have. I have soft and hard foam, cardboard, and
hot glue to put together my idea. If I run out of time I will spend less time to experiment with the
materials and spend more time on the actual build of the structure to ensure that it will be efficient

EXPLORE DIFFERENT POSSIBILITIES

Reflect on your brainstorming and research notes. Generate at least three designs that you feel meet
the criteria and constraints in the space below.
Making small carboard Making a large outer build covered in Use a draw string bag
box filled with soft strong shock absorbing material and connected to an outer
material on the inside connecting it to a smaller outer structure skeletal cube and use the
and covered with foam in the inside connected with strings to the bag to fill it with soft
and shock absorbing outside structure and centered in the material and a foam outer
materials on the outside middle to allow the space in between to cube and connect it with
absorb the shock and maximize the time strings that keep the
drawstring bag in the
middle
SELECT AN APPROACH
Create a decision matrix to select the best approach to the problem.
The best way to protect the egg or containments in the helmet is to incorporate a heavy use of design
that involves materials that go in order to absorb the shock before reaching the egg. This will require
using a soft consistency on the inside to protect the egg from all directions and a hard, sturdy
material composition on the outside to absorb the initial shock and keep the structure on the inside
strong. I will incorporate cardboard for the basic structure, soft foam to protect the egg on the inside,
and hard foam to cover the top and resist the initial pressure from the fall.

Engineering Design Process Planning Worksheet developed by Greg Strimel

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 Protective soft Structural build is durability Total
insulation on sufficient
inside

Enter the constraints of the project in the first row.

Score each sketch for each constraint. + = 3 pts., √=2 pts., - = 1 pt.
Total the rows and circle the highest score.
The reason I chose the second design is because it carried a lot of concepts from my
helmet research of the durability concept on the outside and the soft cushiony
texture on the inside. It also made the most sense to make because of the simple yet
adequate design that involves several mediums. The sturdy foam on the outside will
help resist instant shock and the cardboard will provide a second layer of protection
to the egg and also make up the structure. The egg on the inside is protected by a
layer of foam and soft objects including tissue, paper, and other soft materials. The
opening for the egg will be a cardboard flap on either side that has soft objects stuck
to it to provide more protection when it is closed. The structure on the inside will
simulate a nest because it is closed, caved, and soft but sturdy and hard on the
outside

DEVELOP A DESIGN PROPOSAL

Take your highest scoring design and create working drawings (sketches with dimensions, so that
you could build your project). Do not forget to add a list of materials!

MAKE A MODEL OR PROTOTYPE

In the space below, document (using digital pictures) your construction of the model/prototype. Be
sure to include a picture of the final model/prototype.

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 FINAL VERSION
TEST & EVALUATE
As you create your solution, you will perform tests to make sure that the solution is meeting the
needs of the given problem. If you solution does not work, you may need to repeat the previous steps
of the Engineering Design Process, until you find a functional design. In the space below, document
the type of test you conducted and the results.
1. What data will you collect to evaluate your design?
The probability the egg will break from each height by calculating the chances using the results
2. How will you collect the data?
Dropping the egg in sets of different heights for 5 times each, and calculating after how many drops in each
height the egg cracks
3. What are the math concepts that you will have to use in recording and analyzing your design?
I will find a percentage for the crack rate by using a ratio formula, whenever a crack happens at a certain height, I
calculate the rate by putting 1 over the number of times it took to break the egg, and then I find the decimal
number from the fraction and multiply by 100 to find the percentage of breakage rate.
4. What mathematical tools will you use to collect and analyze your test data?
Calculator, measuring tape, flat surface
5. List the mathematical formulas will you need for testing your design?
Ratio of 1/t where t represents the amount of times it took to make 1 crack in the egg. The one represents the one
crack in the egg The formula is: (1/t)100= rate of breakage
Example: the egg broke once after the 5th drop. à (1/5)100= 20 so, the probability the egg will break is 20% from
the height the egg would drop

**The goal of the test is to get a 0% break rate because that means that my device was able to protect the egg from
many distances**

Test Description Test Results

Dropped from 2 feet 5 times 0/5= 0% break rate

Dropped from 4 feet 5 times 0/5= 0% break rate

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 Dropped from 6 feet 5 times 0/5= 0% break rate!!!!

REFINE THE DESIGN

Based on your tests, propose refinements to the design and construction of the problem solution in
the space below. Include pictures of your improved design.
After the conduction of all 15 drops, none of the drops made any effect on the egg. The egg was
protected mostly from the heavy insulation on the inside, and the protective structure on the outside.
There is no test needed any more, but I will conduct 5 more tests from a 6 feet height make sure that
it remains powerful and effective after conducting a total of 5 drop repeats.
CREATE OR MAKE IT
If time allows, modify your model/prototype as proposed in refining the design. What additional
steps would be necessary to produce this solution for mass production?
- None. My project was able to withstand 20 drops from different heights without breaking the
egg
COMMUNICATE RESULTS
An engineer must be able to communicate his or her work. You can be the most brilliant engineer but
if you cannot successfully communicate your ideas with others, then your ideas are useless. Explain
the process you took to develop your solution and create an argument on why your design is the best
solution to the problem or why it is not. This argument must be based on logic, facts, and data. A valid
argument also provides the facts and data for the opposing argument. Your argument must be well
written and make use of the references from your research and testing results.
Concussions are commonly experienced medical injuries that result from lack of head protection.
This is widely common in sports and is especially found in sports like riding a bike, playing foot ball,
or skiing. A concussion occurs when the head gets hit forcefully causing the brain to smash against
the skeleton, which can cause temporary to permanent damage. Concussions come in various stages
depending on how hard the head was hit. Some concussions may have little side effects that are
temporary such as fogginess and confusion for a few days, and for some cases, it can take months or
years to full recover. The brain is an extremely sensitive structure and any damage can effect a lot
because it is the control center to allowing the body to live and execute its daily and vital activity such
as keeping the heart breathing, running the digestive system, control the lungs, circadian rhythm, and
hunger/ survival aspects that keep the human living. In order to prevent concussions, one must wear
proper head gear to protect the head from any damage when playing a sport.
After the research of the widely used methods, it was found that most helmet designs incorporate
durable and light weight materials which include a sturdy outside and a soft, cushiony inside.
Inspiration was taken from this research and my egg helmet was designed to have a sturdy structure,
foam support on outside, and foam support + soft tissues to support the egg from the inside. The
structure was made of cardboard to support the main shape of the egg helmet. Velcro was used to
secure the flap that allowed the egg to come in and out of the helmet. Hot glue was used to connect
the pieces and form the helmet.
The way the efficiency was tested of the helmet for the project was by dropping it at three different
heights for 5 times each. The percentage at which the probability the egg will breaks is measured by
making a ratio of 1/t where t represents the amount of drops out of 5 (for each height) to make 1
crack in the egg (which is what the 1 stands for) and by using this formula, I would convert the
fraction into a decimal and multiply it by 100 to get a percentage.
The formula is as follows: rate of breakage= (1/t)100
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For the contraption to be effective, the rate of breakage for all three heights must be 0, meaning that
the egg shouldn’t break at all from any of the drops
The first height tested was 2 feet. After dropping it from two feet for 5 times, the egg didn’t break at
all, making the rate of break = 0%
After dropping it from a height of 4 feet 5 times, the egg continued to withstand the force and the rate
of breakage was again 0%
The final height was 6 feet. At this height after being dropped 5 times, had a rate of breakage to equal
to 0%.
These results determined that the egg drop helmet was successful and it can absorb all the shock
from the force of the drop and minimize it with the various layers and structure it had. To further test
the effectiveness, it was dropped again for 5 times form 6 feet and continued to have a rate of
breakage of 0%. After a total of 20 times dropping it, the egg remained in-tact and it didn’t break
despite the pressure and the amount of times it experienced the pressure.

References:

8.1 linear momentum, force, and Impulse - Physics. OpenStax. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2022, from
https://openstax.org/books/physics/pages/8-1-linear-momentum-force-and-impulse#:~:text=net%20%CE%94%20t%20.-,
%CE%94%20p%20%3D%20F%20net%20%CE%94%20t%20.,to%20the%20change%20in%20momentum.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, February 12). What is a concussion? Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Retrieved December 1, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_whatis.html#:~:text=A
%20concussion%20is%20a%20type,move%20rapidly%20back%20and%20forth.

Free fall - determining how fast? and how far? The Physics Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2022, from
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-5/How-Fast-and-How-Far

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