Pneumatics in Badgers' Class

Lesson: Design and technology

Class: Badgers (Years 5/6) Year: 2024 - 2025

As designers, Badgers class designed and made a model which used pneumatics to open and close part of the model.   They were given the following design brief:

Design Brief:

Challenge: Design and build a model of the head of an animal which can be found on the Galapagos Islands using a pneumatic system.  The model should demonstrate controlled movement through air pressure when a syringe is pressed.

Requirements:

• Pneumatic System: The movement must be achieved using
  a system of syringes and tubing.
• Animal Selection: Choose an animal from the Galapagos Islands, such as a Blue-footed Booby, Giant Tortoise, or Marine Iguana.
• Functionality: The mouth on the head must visibly open and close when air is pumped into the system.
• Materials: Use a combination of lightweight materials (cardboard, recycled materials) for the structure, and syringes, tubes, and connectors for the pneumatic mechanism.
• Durability: The model should be well-built so it can operate multiple times without breaking.