Related Links

• Science Fair Project Guide

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• Engineering & Programming Project Tips

Project Summary

Difficulty	1  –  7
Time required	Very Long (several weeks to months)
Prerequisites	This project requires that you assemble a team of (3) students and an adult mentor/coach.
Material Availability	Readily available
Cost	High ($100 - $150)
Safety	No issues

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Abstract

Objective

In this project you will design an entry to the Sally Ride TOYchallenge that teaches, demonstrates or tests a scientific concept.

Introduction

	"Starting Sally Ride Science was a way to make a difference. Plus it's just great fun!" - Sally Ride (Sallyridescience.com, 2007)

Does the game Operation make you want to become a surgeon? Did you want to become an architect after building with Lincoln Logs® or LEGO® components? Did you know that Silly Putty® is a polymer? Toys and games are a great way to learn about science and can even lead to a great science fair project. That's why you should take the TOYchallenge hosted by Sally Ride Science! If you play your cards right, your team can design a single project eligible to win a prize in the Sally Ride Science TOYchallenge AND also be eligble for your school or class science fair!

Sally Ride is most well known for being the first American woman in space. Sally is also a Professor of Physics at the University of California in San Diego, and the author of five children's science books! Sally has long been involved in educational outreach, and founded Sally Ride Science to expand her commitment to support girls and young women interested in science and math.

The Sally Ride TOYchallenge is a great way for boys and girls to get involved in a science project. In this project you will work as a team of three students to design and build a toy or game for the Sally Ride TOYchallenge. Then you will use your toy or game in a science fair project. This project is a great test of your creativity and problem solving skills, and will help build your teamwork and brainstorming skills. Get ready to put your thinking cap on!

Terms, Concepts and Questions to Start Background Research

To do this type of experiment you should know what the following terms mean. Have an adult help you search the Internet, or take you to your local library to find out more!

• Sally Ride TOYchallenge
• Product and prototype design
• Engineering

• How can a toy or game teach a science concept?
• How can a toy or game demonstrate a scientific phenomenon?
• Can I design a toy or game that can be used for a science experiment?
• Can I design a fun toy that teaches (insert your favorite science topic here) ?

Bibliography

Here are some links to the TOYchallenge 2008 hosted by Sally Ride Science:

• Here is the main website for TOYchallenge 2008:
  Sallyridescience.com, 2008. "TOYchallenge 2008," Sally Ride Science, San Diego, CA. [accessed November 6, 2007] http://www.sallyridescience.com/toychallenge
• Here is a link to the registration page:
  Sallyridescience.com, 2008. "Sign Up," Sally Ride Science, San Diego, CA. [accessed November 6, 2007] http://www.sallyridescience.com/toychallenge/signup
• Here is a link to winners of past competitions:
  Sallyridescience.com, 2008. "Past Competitions," Sally Ride Science, San Diego, CA. [accessed November 6, 2007] http://www.sallyridescience.com/toychallenge/past_competitions

Materials and Equipment

• Sally Ride TOYchallenge website
• A team of friends (3 members, grades 5–8, at least half must be girls)
• Your imagination
• An adult coach
• Materials for project will depend upon your ideas and team budget.

Experimental Procedure

1. Visit the Sally Ride Science TOYchallenge website to learn about the program, read through the rules, and check out winning entries from previous years:

2. Assemble a team of friends. In accordance with the TOYchallenge rules, the team should have: 3–6 members, at least half of them girls, all members in grades 5–8. However, most science fairs have limit the number of students in team projects to a maximum of three students. If you intend on competing for BOTH the TOYchallenge, and your local science fair, you should only have three students on your team. Also, double check the science fair team size requirements before you begin.
3. Find a coach for your team. A coach can be a parent, teacher, or adult who will mentor your team. Remember that your coach is a guide, and will not be the one responsible for thinking up or building your project.
4. Once you have your team assembled, be sure to have the coach register your team before the deadline:

   http://www.sallyridescience.com/toychallenge/signup

5. Pick a category for your TOYchallenge project. The Sally Ride Science TOYchallenge has three categories in which your team can compete for a prize. The toy categories to choose from for TOYchallenge 2008 are (from Sallyridescience.com, 2007):
• Toys That Teach - Toys can help teach people of all ages—growing babies and young children at different stages of their development, older kids, tweens or teens, and adults. For example, there are many things infants need to know to get around in the world. Select a stage (like infant, toddler, preschooler). Think about the things they need to learn: talking, color recognition, crawling, walking. How will your toy teach them? Your team's creation might also help older students, or even adults learn a subject, or acquire skills that will help them in everyday life.
• Games for the Family - Game design requires problem-solving skills. There are lots of types of games: board games, travel games, electronic games, and card games. The team's mission is to create a new, exciting game for the entire family or just for themselves. (No video games, please! The only use of video allowed is if you have taped a video of how your toy works, which you can show at the Nationals on your own PC.)
• Get Out and Play - Create a sporty toy that gets you off the couch and on your feet! Think of outdoor sports, water sports, and extreme sports. Your mission is to create a toy that would make you want to skip, run, jump, climb, swing, throw, swim, or another way to be active.
6. Design and build your toy!
7. Use your toy or game for a science fair project that tests a scientific hypothesis. Browse through the Science Buddies Project Ideas and Topics to help you.
8. One way to think about how a toy can be used for a science fair experiment is to look at some examples of projects that use toys. Here are some examples of Science Buddies Project Ideas that use toys—but, of course, your experiment will use the toy that you design:

   Project Link	Topic	Toy Used
   Under Pressure: Ball Bouncing Dynamics	Sports Science	Different kinds of bouncing balls
   Back and Forth to Go Forward: A Snake on Wheels?	Sports Science	Roller Racer
   The Swimming Secrets of Duck Feet	Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics	Swim Fins
   The 'Ultimate' Science Fair Project: Flying Disk Aerodynamics	Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics	Frisbee
   Slinking Slinkies	Applied Mechanics	Slinky®
   Wave Blockers	Materials Science	Remote Control Car
   Bouncy Polymer Chemistry	Chemistry	Silly Putty®, GAK, Slime

9. You can also use your toy design for an engineering based project where you test and improve the prototype design. Read the Science Buddies resource Engineering & Programming Project Tips to learn how an engineering based science fair project is designed. Also, read about some of the TOYchallenge winners from Past Competitions to brainstorm more ideas.
10. Report your results, and good luck with the contest!

Variations

This science project has an unlimited number of variations!

• For more science project ideas in this area of science, see Materials Science Project Ideas.

Credits

This project is made possible by the Sally Ride Science TOYchallenge.

Sara Agee, Ph.D., Science Buddies