Mouse Trap Vehicle Project Description and Rubric

Project Description:

This is a performance based assessment, meaning you are graded largely on how your project performs not on the number of hours you worked on it.  There are no partners and no teams.  Students will use one Victor brand mouse trap as the energy source to drive a vehicle as far as possible down the hallway.  They will get a maximum of three tries to produce their best distance and that distance will be the basis for their grade.  You must test your vehicle before the due date to ensure it works.     The use of a project from another student from a current or past competition will be treated as any other case of academic dishonesty and will result  in the grade of "Zero" on the project.

You may use any materials you wish as long as those materials do not add energy to the vehicle.  For example rubber bands or springs or rockets that store elastic energy are forbidden.  However, no kits are allowed.  The use of a kit will result in a 30 point reduction in score.  A 90 would become a 60.

Note:   All designs must have at least three wheels.  Two wheel designs have been too unpredictable to be considered for this project.  

Due Dates:        First:   The first lab  period in the Week beginning Monday, Jan 6 after  Winter Break.

                       Second:   First lab Period in the Week beginning Monday, Jan 13

Point value:  50  points for the first test output  and 50 points for the second test output., with other point values assigned also.   Example 5 points for drawing and materials list.

Grade Scale for mouse trap project

D = 10-12.99 meters

D+ = 13-14.99 meters

C- = 15-16.99 meters

C = 17-18.99 meters

C+ = 19-20.99 meters

B- = 21- 23.99meters

B= 24- 27.99 meters

B+ = 28-29.99 meters

A- = 30 -32.99meters

A = 33-34.99 meters

A+ beyond 35 meters