The Desk/Workstation Problem Most student desks are small and old fashion and are no longer useful in today's high tech world. As text books get larger and more numerous, storage space is limited in today's desks. In addition, advancements in technology are increasingly available and would aid students in learning, presentations, word processing, and storage of information. A futuristic desk that may include adjustable height, additional storage solutions, and multi media options (e.g. Flip top, computer laptop/keyboard built in). Join other real world designers in creating designs for the future! Design Criteria Design and build a modern multimedia desk that will meet the needs of the students of today and tomorrow. Your model desk must fit a Barbie doll sized individual and fit within the structure of today’s classroom. * If your team is building a separate chair, the chair must slide under the desk.   The Chair Problem In today’s world most student chairs are uncomfortable, the wrong size, break easily, and stationary. Your challenge is to create a chair that could be used in a classroom in the future. Things to consider would be student comfort, ease of movement (e.g. glides, rolls, lifts, tilts, rocks back and forth), cost, and aesthetics. Design Criteria Your team’s model must use the type of energy and effort force as determined by your teacher (hydraulics, small motors, kinetic energy, electricity, pulley and gear, etc.). Your model must transmit motion smoothly and safely. Your model must be scaled to work with an action figure sized student and should match the size of other parts of the classroom (e.g. desk, multimedia board and environment).   Interactive Communication Board Problem Due to the increase in the cat population, the world’s supply of calcium carbonate is reaching depletion. (Calcium carbonate a main component in kitty litter). Unfortunately, chalk is also composed of calcium carbonate. It is time to end the 150 years of traditional chalk use in the classroom. What will classrooms look like without a chalkboard? How will teachers communicate information? How will you take notes? Design Criteria You have been asked to design and build a multi-use teaching board. Your board can have more than one purpose and would replace the traditional classroom chalkboard. Your board must have moving parts and should be built to match the scale of any other classroom components you build.   Adaptable Lighting Problem As you know, lighting in a classroom is very important. Most classrooms today tend to rely on artificial light which is not the most efficient. Your task is to “modernize” the lighting in your classroom. You may wish to consider such things as individual lighting, energy efficient lighting, and natural lighting. Design Criteria A lighting system should be 'electronically' driven and may work using sensors or switches. For maximum convenience and energy efficiency, the lights should have settings for reduced lighting needs (i.e., when no one is in the room); medium lighting needs (i.e., for presentations & multimedia use); and high lighting needs (i.e., deskwork; design and construction; art classes...). Wise designers will make use of newer low wattage lighting solutions in order to reduce long term costs.   Recycling Centre Problem Classrooms struggle to manage to reduce, reuse, and recycle all manner of materials throughout the school day. Can you devise a unit or device that can minimize and organize paper, plastic, metal and organic waste materials? Are there specific ideas you would implement in your classroom or school to reduce the amount of materials used throughout the day? Design Criteria In order to be successfully implemented, your device must be simple to use and manage. Ideally, your product will have the potential to 'compress' materials while providing the means to 'sort' the materials for centralized schoolwide collection. Remember that you'll have to engage both teachers and students in adopting your solution, so be sure to consult with appropriate stakeholders.   Exer-space Problem All students welcome the opportunity to get some physical activity in during the school day. School boards and government agencies both agree that young adults need regular exercise. How do we provide QDPA [Quality Daily Physical Activity] for each student every day? How can we reformat our classroom environment to make aerobic and strengthening activity possible? Your task is to design an exercise space around your student desk that would enable you to stretch, move, jump, and increase your heart rate. Safety and storage would be of prime importance. Design Criteria Use your knowledge of structures, fluid mechanics and other systems to create your model learning environment. Each of the creators of this product should be able to explain the design choices made by the group.   Promotional Banner Problem In order to consider your classroom makeover ideas, the name of your school, and your company need to be clearly identified. Your company is invited to develop a banner that functions as the part of one of your designs, or works as a stand-alone technological banner. You might for example have a separate banner product that unfurls when a simple machine is engaged; or you might embed a banner within one of your other product designs. Our Motto My Company 2007 Design Criteria Banners should be artistically rendered and should highlight your company logo (group), and the name of your school. The banner should be displayed/hidden by the engagement of some mechanism.   Alternative Task Problem After a careful survey you come to be aware of a need not identified above. Consult with your teacher about whether or not you can create an alternate product to complete your classroom's 'Extreme Makeover'. Design Criteria You will have to consult with your classroom teacher in developing criteria that can be used to assess the effectiveness of your creation(s).