The Lifter

Jack, Jill and Zog have a wonderful tree house, but it’s hard work climbing up and down. It’s even more difficult if they want to stock up with supplies.

Can you help Jack and Jill come up with a solution?

Design and make a motorized lift that can carry:
• at least 50 g (or approximately 1 weight brick)
• an object at least 20 cm into the air

1. Make a sketch of the idea you designed and made.
2. Label the three most important parts, explaining how they work.
3. Suggest three improvements.

Note: You are advised not to share this image with students.

Does it lift smoothly and at a safe speed?
The smoother it lifts, the better. If the lift is too fast, it is not safe.

Without supporting or stopping it from tilting, test how much the lift can carry.
The more it can carry without tilting, the better.

Load the lift and test how much it can carry before the motor stalls.
The more, the better.

Look at:

Power Car

Fishing Rod

Construct a mechanism that makes a sound when the supplies have reached the tree house.