For Survival Challenge Task 1, the surviving group needs a vehicle that will take them over the rough terrain to search for other survivors and to collect data. The vehicle needs to: travel over rough terrain
use a universal joint
be able to switch from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive
Review the Design Brief for Task 1.
Design Brief
Client
Civilization of Earth

Designer PLTW Gateway Student Design Team 1
Problem Statement
After a catastrophic event on Earth in 2201, survivors must work in teams to fulfill one of four tasks. This team’s task is to create a vehicle that will take them over the rough terrain to search for other survivors and to collect data.
Design Statement
Design, model, and test a vehicle that will take them over the rough terrain to search for other survivors and to collect data.
Criteria and Constraints
VEX vehicle model needs to demonstrate the ability to travel over rough terrain.
VEX vehicle model must include a universal joint.
VEX vehicle model must contain a mechanism to switch from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive.
Deliverable
VEX vehicle model
Examine an example vehicle solution to learn one way the VEX parts can be assembled to create a rough terrain vehicle.
Survival Challenge Task 1 rough terrain vehicle model built with VEX parts
Figure 1. Rough Terrain Vehicle Example Solution

Rough Terrain Vehicle Example Solution video

Pencil PLTW GATEWAY NOTEBOOK: How do the VEX mechanism parts work together in this vehicle solution to Task 1?

Reflection Question: What mechanisms do you see in the rough terrain vehicle?

Evaluate the rough terrain vehicle example by comparing the example versus the design criteria requirements.
Consider the design criteria and put a checkmark in the boxes if the rough terrain vehicle example met the criteria:
Design Criteria
VEX vehicle model needs to demonstrate the ability to travel over rough terrain.
VEX vehicle model must include a universal joint.
VEX vehicle model must contain a mechanism to switch from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive.
Reflection Question: Did the rough terrain vehicle example meet all of the design requirements? Why or why not?