No.1: Sandy Sanderson: Soda can cars
No.2: V35 Aircraft
No.3: RC Coke Plane
- To make any soda can/plastic bottle video, you have to first create a template that you will be base the model from. The template helps when figuring out where to cut into the cans and for the overall layout of the vehicle. Next, you have to have cans/bottles and extra materials for the model. For instance, when building a soda can car I have found that building the car body first helps so that you are able to find out the exact size and weight the wheels/axles so that they connect to the body.
- If you build the wheels/axles first, it might be more difficult when trying to connect them to the body. The reason for this is that you would have to be extremely precise when cutting the body, so that it fits correctly on the wheels and axles. Making the body first would cut down a sizeable amount of trial and error needed during the process.
- When cutting the cans, you can use scissors, knives, blades, or any other type of cutting utensil. For building a car, you can use a knife to cut either the bottom or the top of the can to make the wheels. To create the axles, you can cut a piece of the can off and roll it into a cylinder form, then tape it so that the piece holds together, then you connect it to the wheels to hold the wheels together.
1. What is a hovercraft?
- A vehicle that can travel above land or water using compressed air (http://www.seair.com/hovercraft.htm)
- Bag skirt - covers the hovercraft's perimeter.
- Segmented skirt - has different segments that press together when they are inflated.
- Jupe skirt - bases are attached to the bottom of the hovercraft.
3. Where and why are hovercraft used?
- Hovercraft can be used for fun or sport. They also allow you to fly over land and water, and can allow you to reach areas that normally aren't possible with normal cars. Hovercraft are also more safe and efficient than regular boats (http://www.discoverhover.org/abouthovercraft/faq.htm)
4. What are the alternatives to hovercraft and where are they used?
- Boats and trains are alternatives to hovercraft. They are used to move people around or for boats, they can be used for travel or rescue.
5. What is the history of hovercraft design and applications?
- The design for today's hovercraft comes from Sir Christopher Cockerell, who built a hovercraft with a cat food can, coffee can, and kitchen scales. It has been used for rescue operations, transporting troops and passengers over the years (http://www.discoverhover.org/abouthovercraft/history.htm)
6. What are some of the most recent hovercraft developments?
- A recent hovercraft creation is one by a New Zealand inventor. It is actually able to take off from the ground and fly in mid-air (http://www.toxel.com/tech/2010/03/06/cool-homemade-flying-hovercraft/).
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ih_KBru6Co&feature=player_embedded
8. What is the environmental impact of hovercraft?
- Hovercraft have nearly little or no effect on the environment. In comparison to normal vehicles such as boats and cars, it is much more fuel efficient, and it doesn't create as much pollution as others do. The pressure that hovercraft uses doesn't damage the environment at all (http://4wings.com.phtemp.com/faq/faq-envi.html).
9. How have hovercraft impacted society?
- Hovercraft have become more of an alternative use for vehicle choice. It is shown to be more efficient and safe to use than boats. It has also gained other uses, such as being used to transport people or rescue them.
10. Who: Individual/Organization who has made a significant contribution to the Hovercraft field.
- World Hovercraft Organization
11. What: Biographical information (date of birth, family background, education,etc.)
- Non-profit hovercraft organization that was created in 2003. Founded by Chris Fitzgerald.
- Founded in 2003, running through 2011 and onwards.
- Official website: http://www.worldhovercraft.org/
- The World Hovercraft Organization's purpose is to provide more information and resources in the hovercraft world. It also represents and sponsors other hovercraft organizations.
- There aren't really obstacles that the company had to overcome, it is a non-profit organization, and it has it's own magazine about hovercraft.
- The organization is non-profit.
- The organization has a created a magazine called HoverWorld Insider, that gives updates and news about the hovercraft world.
Video #1:
Video # 3:
Websites
1) Howtomakestuff.com
~ http://howtomakestuff.com/2008/03/11/going-green-5/
This was a helpful article, recycling can be a much better substitute over throwing things on the ground or on the earth. Recycling can also preserve materials and allow for them to be used again. It's much better than just throwing away something that is re-usable. This also wasn't too hard of a guide to follow, as nearly anyone can do it. I also do agree with putting more emphasis on recycling.
2) eHow.com
~ http://www.ehow.com/how_5167944_make-crafty-recycling-bin.html
This was another good article on how to make a recycling bin. It was much more detailed however, and is a more "professional" looking recycling bin. I could see myself using this method to make a recycling bin as it doesn't involve using too much materials. It doesn't take long to do, which is a plus since it is best to save time when creating things.
3) doityourself.com
~ http://www.doityourself.com/stry/make-your-own-recycling-bin
This article was short and simple when explaining how to create a recycling bin. It doesn't involve using many materials or supplies to make the recycling bin. All it requires you is to find a storage container and then label it according to how a recycling bin would be. This isn't as in depth as other articles, but it does get the job done. It also makes the task very simple.
4) marthastewart.com
~ http://www.marthastewart.com/article/newspaper-recycling-bin
I found this one as easy the guide by doityourself.com. It is very simple and inexpensive to do. Finding a wooden crate is also cheap and can be actually be obtained for free. However, the only drawback I find to the recycling bin in this article is that it is mainly for newspapers. It would be best to have an all purpose recycling bin so you're not limited on what you can put in it. This does save a lot of paper though.
5) associatedcontent.com
~ http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1351113/how_to_make_a_wooden_recycling_bin.html
Making a wooden recycling bin does take much more time than making one by different materials. It involves much time cutting and combining pieces when you easily use a different material, (such as plastic) to make one. However, making a wooden recycle bin would be sturdy. It would also be strong enough to support anything put inside of it.
For this activity, I created two designs that both worked from beginning to end. The ball was even able to make it through both loops on the first design. I created the double hills at the beginning to gain a good amount of speed.
For this activity I had to design a roller coaster that would be safe and fun according to the choices available. It took many tries, but I got it after thinking through on how it could work.