You will compare machines that redirect force, speed, torque, distance, direction, and motion.
POE Unit 1
Mechanisms for Space Missions
Unit mission: Analyze how mechanisms change force, motion, energy, and power, then use evidence to design, build, test, and defend a VEX cargo lift as the culminating Unit 1 project.
Unit Overview
What Unit 1 Builds
You will investigate simple machines, gears, pulleys, sprockets, work, power, efficiency, VEX construction, and open-ended mechanism design.
You will connect work, power, efficiency, gear ratio, friction, structure, and alignment to mechanism performance.
You will plan, build, test, and present a VEX rover mechanism using evidence-based engineering communication.
Unit 1 Final Project
1.9 VEX Cargo Lift Engineering Challenge
Apply gears or chain drives, structural design, work, power, efficiency, programming, testing, and engineering iteration in the culminating Unit 1 project.
Possible mission tasks
Create a freestanding structure, guided payload platform, motor-powered lift, and power-transfer system. Your team chooses the geometry, guide method, gearing, bracing, and lifting strategy.
Required evidence
Concept sketch, completed lift, mechanical-system explanation, three-trial test data, work/power calculations, documented revision, and final reflection.
Performance data
Teams test a 500 g payload over at least 400 mm, record three consecutive trials, calculate work and power, and improve the mechanism from evidence.
Lesson Map
Unit 1 Individual Lessons
Each lesson has its own interactive page, focused evidence target, and student work sequence.
| Lesson | Title | Success Target | Evidence | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Unit Launch: Mechanisms for Space Missions | You can explain how mechanisms support aerospace systems and identify where force, motion, energy, and power appear in a design challenge. | Aerospace mechanism systems map | Open Lesson |
| 1.2 | Simple Machines in Aerospace Systems | You can identify simple machines and explain how they change force, distance, direction, or motion in an aerospace application. | Simple machine identification chart and concept sketch | Open Lesson |
| 1.3 | Force, Distance, Work, and Mechanical Advantage | You can calculate work and mechanical advantage using measured force and distance data from a mechanism. | Work and mechanical advantage calculation set | Open Lesson |
| 1.4 | Gears and Drive Ratios | You can build and analyze a gear train that changes speed, torque, or direction of rotation. | Gear ratio investigation table | Open Lesson |
| 1.5 | Pulley Systems and Lifting Mechanisms | You can design and test a pulley system and explain how it changes force, distance, and mechanical advantage. | Pulley system test notes and calculation evidence | Open Lesson |
| 1.6 | Sprockets, Chain Drives, and Direction of Motion | You can explain how sprockets and chains transfer motion and calculate a simple drive ratio. | Sprocket drive comparison chart | Open Lesson |
| 1.7 | VEX Build Skills and Mechanism Construction | You can build a stable VEX mechanism using proper spacing, fastening, shaft support, alignment, and safety habits. | VEX mechanism build-quality checklist | Open Lesson |
| 1.8 | Work, Power, and Efficiency in Mechanical Systems | You can calculate work, power, and efficiency using measured input and output data from a mechanical system. | Work, power, and efficiency data sheet | Open Lesson |
| 1.9 | Unit 1 Final Project: VEX Cargo Lift Engineering Challenge | You can design, build, test, and improve a guided VEX cargo lift using evidence from performance data. | Concept sketch, cargo lift, three-trial data, calculations, revision, and reflection | Open Lesson |