Engineering Challenge

Buoyancy

Objective: Complete 3 stages that culminate in a blimp that can carry 2

toy soldiers from one side of the room to the other.

Materials:

You may only use the materials listed below. You do not have to use all of them, but
you may not use additional materials.

2 – 18” mylar balloons filled with helium ($3/each), 20 medium sized paperclips
($1/each), 4 meters of tape ($1/meter) (your choice on type), 10 bendable drinking
straws ($2/each), 4 sheets of 8.5” x 11” printer paper ($3/each), 2 meters of string
($3/meter), 6 un-inflated latex balloons ($3/balloon), 2 toy soldiers (free)

Stage 1: Make it hover.

Use your supplies to create a situation of balanced forces out of your balloons. The
balanced balloons should hover in place without moving up or down. Be sure to
design the carrying system that you’ll use to carry the egg.

Stage 2: Make it move.

Add to your balloon so that it will move horizontally, in a straight line without moving
up or down. Tap it gently and watch it move to test your modifications. You will be
adding mass to your system, so consider what you’ll need to do to keep the vertical
forces balanced.

Stage 3: Create a propulsion system.

Now that your balloon moves in a straight line, build a system to keep it moving.
Think about how to control the motion and the speed of the system.