Recyclables Sorting Mechanism Design Project Developed by the First Year Engineering Program faculty
at Ohio State University
(with support from the Gateway Engineering Education Coalition and NSF)

                                             
Overview:

Each team will design, build and test a sorting mechanism to attach to a standardized conveyor system to sort recyclables. As natural resources become scarcer and difficult to extract, an efficient method of sorting recyclables and economically reprocessing them will become necessary. The United States is the world's leading producer of waste. Recycling some of that waste reduces the landfill space required, the amount of natural resources exploited, and the energy used to maintain our standard of living.


Learning Objectives or Student Outcomes:

By the end of this lesson or activity, students will be able to
1. work as a team to design and develop a sorting mechanism to attach to a standardized conveyor system to sort recyclables.
 

Length of Activities:

This project is to be completed over the duration of a ten week period.

Assignment(s) to Ensure Student Preparation:

Although there is no specific assignment to ensure student preparation, the students will gradually build the knowledge needed as they move through the different assignments/portions of the project itself.

Team Size/Composition:

Teams of 4 work best; however, teams of 3 or 5 students each may be formed if necessary.

How is positive interdependence ensured?

Teammates must work together to complete one sorting mechanism and to complete all of the assignments associated with this project.

How is individual accountability built in to the project?

At the conclusion of the project, each student is asked to rate himself/herself and the other members of his/her team in a confidential team evaluation. After the students have completed their rankings, they are able to view how they were ranked by their teammates. This is an individual and anonymous evaluation, and students are asked not to discuss it with their team members or other classmates.

Components of Assessment:

The confidential team evaluations will be used to further weight the individual scores.

Team Skills Needed for Success:

All team members must have the ability to communicate and to give and receive constructive feedback.  Team members must feel free to contribute ideas and be willing to listen to ideas and opinions other than those that are self-formed.

How Are These Skills Emphasized?

These skills are emphasized through the completion of one team project and all of the assignments that accompany that project. 

Multimedia Needs for Instructor:

• Sorting Mechanism Design Project Packets (one per each student)
• Copies of the Confidential Team Evaluation Form and the Team Oral Presentation Evaluation form

Materials Needed by Students:

Each team will be provided with standard conveyor system, and a storage bin containing consumable construction materials and parts for the sensor circuits:

2 Dowels - 1/4"x48"
1 1"x48"x20 ga. Al strip
10 Sheets 8 1/2"x11" cardboard
1 Each - cup, block & cylinder
Angle iron assortment, two each: 12”, 6”, and 3”

At each table, there will be the following non-consumable tools and supplies that must remain at the table:

1 Power supply
1 Counter
1 Voltmeter
1 Toolkit
1 Working surface (Lab table protector)

At the front of the lab, there will be a selection of tapes, glues and more specialized tools.

To use additional consumable construction materials or to use non-standard materials, teams must submit a Supplemental Equipment Proposal.

Content Lesson Links:

Instruction to Students

Handouts

Sorting Mechanism Design Project Packet

©2003, First Year Engineering Program Faculty at Ohio State University
These materials may be duplicated for educational purposes if properly credited.