Questions and Answers

Question: Wind-to-Vehicle Transfer. Is there a time limit?

Answer: No. The test itself is based on the speed that the vehicle travels through the speed gate.  Students will have a set-up time of about 2-3 minutes.  However, once you’ve set up and told the judges to start the fan, there is no time limit on how long you can take, within in reason.

Question: Wind-to-Vehicle Transfer. Is the car provided by Colorado MESA?

Answer: No, each team must design and build their own car. One car per team. The only design constraint is the car must weigh 200 grams and travel across a 50cm speed zone.

Question: Team Composition. Is it required for each team to have 2 males and 2 females?

Answer: The 2 male and 2 female rule is an attempt to diversify the teams as much as possible. We realize that not all the schools well be able to have a true split between females and males, but the goal is to avoid having all male teams.

Question: Wind Energy Design Components. What performace items are included?

Answer: Only the device performance will be judged during the pilot year, which includes the wind-to-vehicle transfer, mechanical power and rotational speed. Teams will not need to create a academic display, write a technical paper or prepare an oral presentation.

Question: Wind-to-Vehicle Transfer. What and How?

Answer: All components/parts required to make your vehicle attach to the wind turbine must be designed and constructed by each team. Colorado MESA will provide the table and track. The pulley system and associated parts must be designed, built and brought be each team.

Question: Do you design the wieghts yourself?

Answer: Yes. Part a of question 13 states "teams will provide all materials necessary to complete the task." We allow this as an option understanding that some teams will not be able to raise as much mass as others. Your team will have to experiement between weights lifted and the time it takes to lift the weight.  The ratio between (trial mass/trial time) will determine what is the best mass for your team.