Purpose Of The NASA Crane Project

NASA Crane The Purpose of the NASA Crane project was to use the engineering design process to build a crane that was able to lift as much weight as possible. The need was to build a crane that could lift heavy objects out of a crater on the moon. The heavy objects must be lifted 6 inches from the ground. Secondly we had to create a design that could be tested. The design was drawn out on graph paper and was to scale. Thirdly we had to build the design out of the materials that were given. The design had to be built to the scale drawing that was made previous to building the crane. Fourthly we tested our crane by lifting weights 6 inches of the ground. We added weight until our crane broke or could not lift any more weight. Lastly we recorded our data and reflected on our design.
I learned to be patient with the design. I also learned that if something does not goes as planned you must consider your options and consider what will work better. I enjoyed brainstorming with my partener the design and then actually drawing the design on graph paper. I learned that you must be very precise while drawing and make sure your measurements are correct. I enjoyed figuring out when to use duct tape and when to use scotch tape. I learned that you should always use duct tape in high stress areas. I learned that only use duct tape in a low stress area and where it might only be used as a guide for the string. Overall I enjoyed the project, but I saw a few things I would improve about the project. I would have limited the amount of materials used per group. I would have limited the amount of duct tape used. I would have changed the voting system as well. I would of made each group turn in a paper for each crane. Lastly I would have let each group redesign their crane and retest it.
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