|
|
Welcome
to BoxCarChallenge.com
The PURPOSE of the
PROJECT: To promote math skills in an everyday life
experience, that emphasizes team work, measurement, data collecting,
computer assisted design (CAD), engineering skills, physics concepts,
and more team work.
The CHALLENGE:
The Algebra II PAP students are setup into teams of 4 members each
and are expected to work as a TEAM outside of class to design and create
a car that is human pedaled. It could be based on an existing or unique
design of a car that must be pedaled a distance of at least 900 feet.
There are many grades to be given but the 900 ft test is the most
dramatic. And
at the end of the grading process, THE RACE IS ON!!! Tournament style, with
brackets monitoring outcomes as it formulates a winning path for the two fastest
cars. These races crescendo to the championship race for all the
marbles, and bragging rights for being the best!
The INSPIRATION:
When kids see cars go by on the streets, highways, and byways, they
imagine the wind blowing through their hair as they speed by...go
faster, they may think to themselves...man, I wish I could drive. Once
someone experiences the freedom a vehicle can give you (such as a
bicycle, skateboard or even a go-kart), it makes you want to experience
it again and again. Boxcars are just as fun, and they
can be a world of learning in all of that fun people can have. Math can
and is a
big deal in creating and designing boxcars in this project, and that's
why I came up with it. Gas is EXPENSIVE, and in this day and age because
of the troubles some of us have just filling our gas tanks, we need
bright young minds looking at their future with creative eyes. Who
knows, this project may spark one of my students to become an engineer
to develop a form of transportation that doesn't need any modern types
of fuel.
Rules for the Boxcar
Challenge
The Boxcar
Challenge Due Dates for Competitors
Race Day
May 17, 2011
|
Crystal, Jennifer,
Carlos, Caitlin, Pedro, and Kenny taking a much needed break in
between races.
|
|
|
 |
|
Race Day is AWESOME!
When that day finally arrives, the teams throughout the school day get their cars evaluated
by parents, teachers, and fellow classmates on function, design,
and boxcar making skills. Their hard work and dedication is clearly
shown in the different designs that are on display for race day.
The Pedaled Boxcar Challenge brings people from all walks of
life together as a team and gets them ready to be out in the
real world. It is very similar to what they have to accomplish as a team
to be successful in life and career. From what I have
seen, these teams create an incredible side effect. Their
struggle to build their car gets them to motivated to learn special skills to
make the car a reality. By the end of the project, they are better than friends. |
After the GRADING IS COMPLETED,
the racing begins. The cars are
entered in a randomly selected bracket to match 2 cars per race.
With every win a car gets, the Boxcar team slowly moves closer
to the championship race. And as you
can see from the above picture, the Algebra II PAP students are
ingenious in their design and in the materials that they use to
create their pedaled cars, making them fast and aerodynamic. The PVC Stallion,
shown above, was made by what
its name says, PVC pipe. That's right, the same plastic
materials that are used to line the walls and floors of your
home's water system is the same materials that were used to make
their boxcar's frame. Taking 3rd place in Spring 2008 and Fall
2008 tournaments makes this a very fast vehicle. Team PVC
Stallion are very proud of their accomplishments. |
RACE DAY Photo Albums
|
Sponsor Section
|
|
 |
Spring
2011 Race Day
May 17, 2011
Spring
2010 Race Day
May 12, 2010
Spring 2009 Race Day
May 19, 2009
Fall 2008 Race Day
Dec. 17, 2008
Spring 2008 Race Day
May 14, 2008
|
Tapangan Pediatrics
Dr. Tapangan has been a
sponsor since the beginning of the Project and now has sponsored
all five editions of the Boxcar Challenge. He does it because
of his dedication to children and their advancement in physical health as well as their mental health.
He and His Family have a vested
interest in making it possible for The Boxcar Challenge to be a
success. In OUR OPINION, NO other Doctor's office in the Rio Grande Valley is
more committed to education than
Tapangan Pediatrics. Thank You for your Support! Click
here to visit their
Sponsor Page.
|
|
