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 and defend a VEX rover mechanism.
Unit Overview
What Unit 1 Builds
You will investigate simple machines, gears, pulleys, sprockets, work, power, efficiency, energy sources, circuits, motors, and mechanism design evidence.
You will connect work, power, efficiency, energy sources, circuits, and motors to mechanism performance.
You will plan, build, test, and present a VEX rover mechanism using evidence-based engineering communication.
Unit Project
VEX Rover 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, force, work, power, or efficiency.
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 | Energy Sources for Aerospace Systems | You 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 | You 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 | You 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 Rover Mechanisms Challenge | You can interpret a design brief and identify the problem, criteria, constraints, and deliverables for the VEX Rover Mechanisms Challenge. | Problem statement, criteria/constraints list, and initial test plan notes | Open Lesson |
| 1.13 | Research, Criteria, Constraints, and Decision Matrix | You 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 | You 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 | You 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 | You 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 | You 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 | You can present a mechanism design and justify it using sketches, calculations, prototype evidence, and test data. | Final design review presentation and reflection | Open Lesson |