The Badge Archive

Fulfills Steps 3, 4, and 5 of GSUSA Brownie Automotive Engineering badge requirements.

Items Needed

• 1 sample basic vehicle (pre-built)
• 1 regular ramp for initial movement tests (plain surface, no obstacles)
• 1 testing ramp and obstacle pan for flood conditions
• Vehicle materials per team:
  • 1 body
  • 4 wheels
  • 2 axles (wooden skewers/dowels and plastic straws)
  • Thin cardboard or cardstock for extra vehicle features
  • Modeling clay, rubber bands, sponges, or hot glue to attach wheels
  • Duct tape, glue, markers, scissors
  • (Optional Material) Plastic wrap or tape to seal openings
  • (Optional Material) Foam pieces or packing peanuts for buoyancy
  • (Optional Material) Deflated small balloons for flotation support
  • (Optional Material) Paddle-like attachments for propulsion in water

Testing Ramp Setup

• Place a smooth, sturdy board or surface at a slight incline to create the ramp.
• Ensure the ramp is long enough for vehicles to roll straight down without obstacles.
• Position the ramp leading into the flood obstacle pan to transition from regular movement testing to water testing.

Flood Obstacle Pan Setup

• Use a shallow plastic bin filled with just enough water for vehicles to float or roll through.
• Ensure water depth is consistent across the pan to keep testing fair.
• Have extra materials nearby for scouts to adjust their vehicle (if needed) after testing.

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Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 45–50 minutes):

1. Step 1: Build the Basic Vehicle (10 minutes)
   • Attach axles by taping straws across the bottom of the vehicle body.
   • Connect wheels by inserting skewers through the straws, then securing wheels with clay, sponge pieces, or rubber bands.
   • Test if the vehicle rolls straight and adjust as needed.
2. Step 2: Strengthen & Customize the Vehicle (10 minutes)
   • Scouts reinforce their vehicle using cardboard or foam.
   • Add doors, windows, lights, or flotation materials to help in flood conditions.
   • Seal openings with plastic wrap or tape to prevent water from entering.
3. Step 3: Test for Movement & Floating Ability (10 minutes)
   • Roll the vehicle down the regular ramp to check basic movement.
   • Place the vehicle in the flood obstacle pan (shallow water) to see if it moves or sinks.
   • Adjust the design as needed to improve flotation and movement.
4. Observations & Recording (10 minutes)
   • Scouts should observe and record:
     • Does the vehicle stay upright? (Or does it tip over in water?)
     • Does it float or sink? (What materials helped or failed?)
     • Can it roll in water? (Do the wheels move effectively?)
     • Does water get inside the vehicle? (How well are openings sealed?)\
     • Which modifications worked best? (Foam, sealed components, paddle wheels, etc.)
   • Recording Methods:
     • Scouts can use a checklist to mark each result.
     • Teams can write or draw observations about what happened during testing.
     • They can compare results and suggest improvements based on their findings.
5. Wrap-Up Discussion (5 minutes)
   • Scouts share their results and review their observations.
   • Each should brainstorm ways to improve their design. Discuss how real engineers test and refine vehicles for flood conditions.

How Engineers Test & Improve Flood Vehicles

• Keep water out – Vehicles must stay dry inside, so engineers check for leaks.
• Stay upright – Floating vehicles need to be stable and not tip over.
• Move in water – Wheels or special features help vehicles travel through floods.

Ways to Improve Designs

• Stronger materials – Waterproof and sturdy parts help vehicles survive floods.
• Better wheels – Some vehicles have wider tires or paddle-like attachments for movement.
• Sealed doors & windows – Helps keep water out and protect passengers.

Wrap-Up Questions for Scouts

• What worked best in your design?
• How would you make it float or move better?
• What do real flood rescue vehicles use to stay safe?