KDC-NRMA TechnoPush Challenge

The KDC-NRMA Technology Challenge is an exciting program where students, teachers and local communities work together to design and construct a vehicle to detailed specifications. It requires a team effort including all students, and promotes a connected outcomes approach. 

Pushcarts have provided many hours of enjoyment for children. A pushcart is a billycart that is designed to be pushed by one person and steered by another seated in it. As with many products, science and technology have contributed to the evolution of the pushcart. Today pushcarts are built using a variety of materials, in all sorts of shapes and with a focus on safety. Design brief: Your task is to design and construct a pushcart and participate in a series of performance challenges. This will also involve the teams producing a class fitness program, safety guidelines and promotional materials to be presented at the KDC-NRMA Technology Challenge event.

Participating classes will gather and participate in performance trials at the KDC-NRMA Technology Challenge event to be held on 2Oth August 2008, Term 3

Students will:

• Conduct scientific investigations related to aspects of the pushcart construction and operation. Results of students' investigations will inform the design of the pushcart
• Pushcarts are to be designed and made by students. Assistance may be sought from within the school community and must be fully acknowledged
• Throughout the Challenge, students have access to expert advice from industry professionals through communications facilities on the web site.

The KDC-NRMA Technology Challenge will celebrate and showcase the outstanding achievements of students, exhibiting successful pushcart designs and results of the performance trials, on the Kids' Design Challenge web site.

Getting started

The following sections assist teachers in implementing the KDC-NRMA Technology Challenge.

Background information for teachers

Syllabus links: Information about the learning processes (Investigating, Designing and Making and Using Technology) and the content strand Physical Phenomena.

Essential information to assist in the implementation of the
KDC-NRMA Technology Challenge.

Step by step

A detailed plan for implementing the challenge in the classroom.

The unit TechnoPush is provided for downloading.

Timeline

Important dates and detailed implementation schedule.

The KDC-NRMA Technology Challenge will commence in Week 8, Term 1, 2008.

KDC-NRMA TechnoPush Challenge Event information

Preliminary information and details of the KDC-NRMA TechnoPush Challenge Event. Further details will be provided to registered teams, later in term 2.

Awards for team achievement will be presented as the final event of the day. Criteria have been provided as part of the teachers´ support kit.

Resources

Useful references, web sites and organisations to contact.

Teachers are encouraged to suggest resources to add as the list is periodically updated.