POE Unit 1

Mechanisms of Flight: Energy, Power & Aerospace Machines

Students investigate how aerospace machines redirect force, speed, distance, and motion through mechanisms and energy transfer. Using VEX systems and physical testing, they design and evaluate a mechanism that performs a launch-support, deployment, lifting, or positioning task.

Back to POE Hub View Lesson Map Unit Project Start Lesson 1.1

Unit Purpose

What this unit prepares you to do

Unit 1 moves from mechanism fundamentals to an aerospace design challenge. You will study simple machines, gears, pulleys, sprockets, motors, work, power, and efficiency, then use those ideas to build and defend a VEX mechanism.

Redirect motion

Use mechanisms to change direction, speed, torque, force, or distance for a launch-support, payload, deployment, or positioning task.

Use calculations

Calculate mechanical advantage, drive ratio, work, power, and efficiency so design decisions are supported by evidence.

Build and test

Construct a VEX-based prototype, run repeatable tests, analyze performance, and explain how revisions improved the system.

Unit Project

VEX Aerospace Mechanisms Challenge

Design and test a VEX mechanism that performs an aerospace support task by changing force, speed, direction, distance, or motion in a measurable way.

Possible mission tasks

Payload lift, launch angle adjuster, deployable support, hatch or bay door, antenna/sensor positioner, or approved custom aerospace mechanism.

Required evidence

Problem statement, criteria and constraints, concept sketches, decision matrix, calculations, prototype photos, test data, and final design review.

Performance data

Teams collect repeated measurements such as load lifted, distance moved, time, ratio, angle, reliability, success rate, force, work, power, or efficiency.

Project Brief

VEX Aerospace Mechanisms Challenge

Use this brief to guide the VEX mechanism design process, calculations, testing expectations, and final design review.

Download

Student Project Brief

This PDF explains the challenge statement, scenario, design requirements, constraints, engineering evidence, checkpoints, and success criteria for this unit project.

Open Project Brief

Daily Lesson Map

Unit 1 lesson sequence

Each lesson builds toward a mechanism prototype that can be tested, analyzed, improved, and defended with data.

Lesson	Title	Student Objective	Deliverable	Page
1.1	Unit Launch: Mechanisms of Flight	I 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	I 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	I 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	I 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	I 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	I 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	I 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	I 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	Energy Sources for Aerospace Systems	I can categorize energy sources and explain how energy is stored, converted, transported, and used in an aerospace system.	Aerospace energy source comparison and conversion diagram	Open Lesson
1.10	Electrical Basics: Voltage, Current, and Resistance	I can explain voltage, current, and resistance and use Ohm’s law to solve simple circuit problems.	Ohm’s law practice and circuit notes	Open Lesson
1.11	Motors and Electrical-to-Mechanical Power	I can describe how motors support mechanisms and identify how speed, torque, load, and power affect performance.	Motor performance observation notes	Open Lesson
1.12	Design Brief: VEX Aerospace Mechanisms Challenge	I can interpret a design brief and identify the problem, criteria, constraints, and deliverables for the VEX Aerospace Mechanisms Challenge.	Problem statement, criteria/constraints list, and initial test plan notes	Open Lesson
1.13	Research, Criteria, Constraints, and Decision Matrix	I can research mechanism options and use a decision matrix to justify a concept direction.	Research notes and decision matrix	Open Lesson
1.14	Concept Sketching and Mechanism Planning	I can create a mechanism plan that shows parts, motion, inputs, outputs, and how the design will be tested.	Labeled mechanism sketch and build plan	Open Lesson
1.15	Prototype Build Day 1: Structure and Motion	I can build the first prototype of a VEX mechanism and identify early stability, alignment, or motion issues.	Prototype progress evidence and issue log	Open Lesson
1.16	Prototype Build Day 2: Power, Load, and Troubleshooting	I can troubleshoot a mechanism by identifying causes of failure and making targeted revisions.	Troubleshooting log and revised prototype evidence	Open Lesson
1.17	Mechanism Testing and Data Analysis	I can collect repeatable test data and use calculations to evaluate mechanism performance.	Final test data table and analysis	Open Lesson
1.18	Final Design Review and Reflection	I can present a mechanism design and justify it using sketches, calculations, prototype evidence, and test data.	Final design review presentation and reflection	Open Lesson