Ramp up the engineering design process in your classroom with an activity that challenges teams to design, build, and test a small-scale portable wheelchair ramp. The class develops design requirements, and teams test their designs using a weighted bucket. 

Concepts

ramps, engineering design, prototypes, design, scale models, scale drawings, biomedical engineering, technology resources

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Have teams measure stairs, curbs, steps, etc., that the ramp could be used to traverse

Classroom Considerations

• The pupils should be familiar with the circular nature of the engineering design process
• For assistance in determining scale and size of the ramp, each group needs a model all-terrain wheelchair prototype
• The third challenge in a series of four

Pros

• The handout provides a guide to help teams through the design process
• The resource has a vocabulary list and definitions that are relevant to the activity

Cons

• None

Common Core

6.NS.B.3 7.G.A.1 MP4