Move It: Tips on How to Build a Rubber Band Powered Crawler

TL;DR

Help students build rubber band crawlers for NASA's Move It challenge with tips for success.

Transcript

Hi. I'm Tysha. And I'm Lindsay. So your students want to tackle NASA's Move It challenge and build a rubber band powered crawler. This is a tough one. So we want to give you some tips to help you guide them if their crawlers don't work as expected. Crawlers are big machines that carry tons of weight from one point to another. At NASA's Kennedy Spac... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤕 NASA's Move It challenge involves students creating rubber band powered crawlers.
• 🧑‍🦼 Tips for success include using sturdy materials, proper axle positioning, experimenting with wheel sizes, and securing wheels with adhesive.
• 🏆 Testing the crawler with increasing payloads helps in refining the design through the engineering process.
• 🧑‍🎓 NASA's crawler transporter inspired the Move It challenge for students.
• 💷 The crawler transporter at NASA's Kennedy Space Center can carry 18 million pounds.
• 🚀 Designing a crawler that can carry payloads is critical for future launch operations at NASA.
• ❓ Creativity and problem-solving skills are essential for success in the Move It challenge.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the objective of NASA's Move It challenge?

The challenge tasks students with designing and building a rubber band powered crawler to carry a payload at least one meter.

Q: What materials can students use for axles in their crawlers?

Students can utilize pencils, dowel rods, or skewers for axles, but skewers are flimsier and should be kept short to reduce friction.

Q: How can students reduce friction in their crawler design?

One way to reduce friction is by running axles through a straw to provide a smoother movement for the crawler.

Q: Why is it important to test the crawler with increasing payload weights?

Testing the crawler with heavier payloads allows students to identify weaknesses in their design and make necessary improvements to enhance its carrying capacity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA's Move It challenge involves building rubber band powered crawlers to carry payloads.

• Tips include using sturdy materials, proper axle positioning, experimenting with wheel sizes, and securing wheels with adhesive.

• Test the crawler with increasing payloads to improve design through the engineering process.