4:30PM Saturday, November 17 East Concourse, Centennial Building, Fair Park [Only open to Grades 9-12] ["Contestant" is defined as a team of four students] (Back to Competitions) (Printable Version)

The purpose of the Leaf-Blower Hovercraft Competition is to promote student interest in technology and engineering. This event places special emphasis on group problem solving techniques.
The Competition

A team of up to four students will build and race a leaf-blower hovercraft. The race will be divided into two divisions:

• Motor Propelled
• Stick Propelled

(1) Build a leaf-blower hover craft using only the following materials:

1. ¾" circular plywood board no larger than 4 feet in diameter, or two 3/8" pieces of circular plywood board no larger than 4 feet in diameter.
2. 1-3 electric-powered leaf blowers arranged in any configuration.
3. 3 mil thick plastic (for bottom or hover craft skirt)
4. 1 stool (to sit on)(optional)
5. assorted staples, screws, bolts & nuts
6. some device of you're choosing to provide horizontal propulsion
   [No rockets or explosive devices can be used to provide horizontal propulsion]
   [Note: leaf blowers can be configured to provide horizontal propulsion]

(2) The leaf-blower hovercraft must be completely constructed by the students. If questions arise during the construction phase of your hovercraft, please e-mail inquiries to: LehmanM743@aol.com

(3) Hovercrafts deemed to be unsafe will not be allowed to race in this event.
Race Specifics

(1) The racecourse will be approximately 100 meters long.

(2) Students may not change drivers during the race.

(3) All horizontal propulsion must come from the hovercraft driver located on the 4-foot vehicle. This means that persons not standing on the hovercraft can not give "pushes" to add propulsion. The driver's feet and hands connot come directly in contact with the floor to provide propulsion.

(4) The contestant on the hovercraft can not pull on the electrical cord to provide horizontal propulsion. This also means that the contestant on the hovercraft can not be pulled by the electrical cord.

(5) The driver can provide his or her own "push off" at the beginning of the race. Running leaps onto the hovercraft are not permitted as a "push off."

(6) The winner of the race will be the team that completes the racecourse in the shortest period of time.

(7) Each team is responsible for providing it's on electrical cords, as well as for developing its own technique for manipulating the cords. Team members will be allowed to carry and manipulate the electrical cords during the race to facilitate a smoother flow of the craft.

(8) Teams will compete against the "clock."

Racing Events

• Racing 100 meter length of course.
• Racing 100 meters, turning the hovercraft around 180 degrees, and returning to the start line. The hovercraft driver must perform the turn while remaining on the vehicle.

For additional information about Winston Science, contact Dr. Lehman Marks, Event Director. Copyright (c) 2007 Lehman Marks/The Winston School. All Rights Reserved.