Learning Simulation Software

This interactive 3D simulation allows students to work on the development of a piece of virtual machinery, capable of launching giant paintballs into the air. Using the Design and Test Methodology, students must create their hurling machine so that it is capable of hitting the multiple targets within the virtual world.

In order to hit all of the targets in the virtual environment, students must design their device so it is capable of launching for distance, height, and strength. Students are able to customize the arm length, spring strength, ball weight, angle of release, and tension in order to hit each target.

Students are given a budget that they must complete the project within, each shot at the target will cost the student part of their budget, so the fewer shots required the better the student does. Launchers must be designed for the assigned task, tested, modified, tested again, and repeated until the student has hit each target.

With the selected task in mind, students must try to imagine what properties might be needed to get the job done. They then use the sliders on the Customize panel to create the machine. As they interact with the sliders they can watch how the machine changes in order to get a better idea of what each slider controls.

Read the information in the Overview panel to see how you did and to get some design tips for the task you chose. Click the New Task button to try a different task or try the same task again to see if you can get it done with less money.