The Power of Hydraulics Challenge

Teacher

Overview

Hydraulics play a crucial role in our lives by enabling powerful and precise movements in various machines and systems, from heavy machinery and vehicles to elevators and amusement park rides.

In this Challenge, Trainees will research hydraulic power using the Engineering Design Process. Our STEM Hero for this Challenge is the Pascal.

Trainees will learn about the principles of hydraulics, gain hands-on experience in engineering design and problem-solving, and develop a deep understanding of how hydraulic devices can be used to move objects efficiently in real-world applications.

Once their research is complete, they will take their knowledge and use their imagination to develop a device to solve the Challenge.

As always, at the end of the Challenge, Trainees will take their journey and create a 5-minute presentation.

All our Challenges are created in such a way that Trainees of any age can use them. Our test Trainee group ranges in age from 7 years old to 14 years old. However, we have had 5-year-olds successfully complete Challenges with assistance, and even a few parents joined their Trainees to learn with them! We recommend simplifying the task for younger Trainees and helping them with the Challenge Kits. We recommend that older students go more in-depth and that their finished solution is of a higher standard and more detailed. We have also taken into consideration different learning styles. So the Portfolio and Lessons can be adapted to each Trainee’s needs. Ultimately, our program is about working through the process. And you are never too young or too old to learn that skill.

For this Challenge, Trainees over 10 years old should be able to complete it with minimal assistance. Younger Trainees can successfully complete it with help.