Off Road Wheelchair

What happens if you depend on a wheelchair for mobility, but want to go places beyond just the pavement? Create a wheelchair which would be able to easily travel on rough terrain. You may use a doll or plush to test your wheelchair. See how well it travels over grass, sand, mulch, trails…the possibilities should be endless!

Note: The material potential for this challenge is endless! Feel free to try items not on our material list.

Materials: string/ribbon, scrap cardboard, paper clips, paper tubes, paper bowls, paper plates, rubber bands, tape

Tools: scissors, ruler

Measure of Success: successful turning of wheels, safety of person in wheelchair

ASK: What is the problem you are trying to address? What are the constraints? What information do you need in order to solve the problem?

IMAGINE: What ideas do you have for creating your wheelchair? What is your best idea?

PLAN: Diagram your design ideas. How are you using your materials?

CREATE and TEST: Create your wheelchair and test your design. Was it successful? Why or why not? What worked with your design? What could you do to make the wheelchair better?

IMPROVE and TEST: Did the improvements you made make your design better or worse?

Want to see how well WBTV meteorologist and reporter Jonathan Stacey did on this challenge? Check out the link below!

www.wbtv.com/video/2021/01/27/mr-russell-classroom-explore-science-mechanical-engineering/