Tennis Anyone?

Student Worksheet:
Build a Racquet

 Research and Planning
You are part of a team of engineers who have been given the challenge of designing a tennis racquet out of everyday materials that can consistently hit a ball to a target. Read the handouts provided to you by your teacher, and if you also have access to the internet visit the International Tennis Federation at www.itftennis.com/technical/
equipment/rackets to gain more understanding about the history and design of tennis racquets. 

 Design Phase
You have been provided with many materials from which to design and build your own tennis racquet.  Your racquet must be strong enough to stay together throughout the challenge.  In the box below draw a diagram of your racquet and provide a list of the materials you plan to use.

Materials List:

	

Tennis Anyone?

Student Worksheet:
Build a Racquet (continued)

 Building Phase
Build your racquet according to your plan…but you may adjust it in the manufacturing process.  You may also request additional materials, or trade materials with other student teams.  If you make revisions to your design, consider why you are making a change.

 Testing Phase
Try out your racquet!  You'll use your racquet to hit a ping pong ball that has been covered in hook & loop or Velcro toward a target.  Your goal is to use your racquet to hit your ball in the bullseye (or as close to the center as possible for highest points).  Each member of your team may try the racquet up to three times -- and the six highest scores will be used to determine your team score.  This way, if one team member has better aim than another, it will not matter.  

During this phase, be sure to examine all the different designs of racquets created by all the teams in your class.  There is no right or wrong way to complete this challenge, and much can be learned by observing the engineering ideas of other teams.

 Scoring
The center of the target is worth 10 points, the middle area is worth 6, and the outer area is worth 2.  

Remember to only include your top six scores in the table below:

Score 1
	Score 2	Score 3	Score 4	Score 5	Score 6	Total	

							

If your racquet falls apart during testing, you'll take the scores you accumulated until it was unusable, and add zeros if fewer than six scores were achieved.

  Tennis Anyone?

Student Worksheet:
Build a Racquet (continued)

 Reflection 
Complete the reflection questions below:

1. How similar was your original design to the actual racquet your team built?

2. If you found you needed to make changes during the construction phase, describe why your team decided to make revisions.

3. Did your racquet survive the testing phase?  If not, what would you have done differently in design or building to ensure it would have survived?

4.  At the end of the testing phase, did your racquet experience significant damage?  If so, what type of reinforcement would you have incorporated if you did this challenge again?

5. After the testing phase, what features would you have incorporated into a new design?  What other materials might you have used?

6. Which racquet that another team made was the most effective or interesting to you?  Why?

7.  Do you think that this activity was more rewarding to do as a team, or would you have preferred to work alone on it? Why?