1.

Indirect Project Packet

Indirect Measuring Instruments

Engineering Problem # 2

Each team of two students must fabricate an instrument or

instruments, which meet the following criteria:

1 – Research and Design:

Maintain a record of design ideas, drawings and

research sources used in this project. Each team will
be required to fabricate a prototype of their device
prior to construction, test their device, make and
needed.

2 – General Instrument Characteristics:

Size- Must be easily transportable to remote locations on the Blair property.

Must be able to be stored in school

The instrument(s) must include all items necessary for data collection. The instrument (s) must be
designed and fabricated to work independently of any other measuring device or instrument. i.e
no rulers or protractors

Material – Must be fabricated in the R&E room (not home) and out of materials located in the
R & E room.

Durability – Must be fabricated to be used numerous times and last the remainder of the
semester.

3 – Instrument Capabilities:
Distance – Your device must be able to accurately estimate the distance of an object from the
operator, with distances determined by your mathematical solution.

Angles- The instrument must be able measure angles of separation of objects. Accuracy- your
instrument must include a vernier scale to measure 30 minutes of a degree.

4 – Instrument Manual:
Each team of students must computer generated operation manual for each instrument.
(A detailed set o f operating instructio ns, incl uding diagrams and mat h form ulas necessary for reliable data co llection .)

4 – Data Analysis:
Individual students will produce a data analysis paper from the whole class data set and write a 1-
page summary of the performance of their instrument compared to the class.

JST HHHHHHH 9/13/10

1. Indirect Project Packet

Instrument Manual
Manual Assignment:
Develop an instruction manual for your measurement
instrument. Print and turn in two copies, one I’ll grade and 1 for
the users to use (w/ DCS)

Include:
• Title page, team members, Block and Instrument #. One
copy has the team members names, the other copy ( for
the users) has only your Block and instrument number.
• General Instrument Set up Procedure and a usage log for
each team to sign off when they used your instrument.
• Clear concise, numbered or lettered steps for data collection and recording
• Diagram of instrument with labels to identify parts.
• Variables that needed to be measured are clearly identified with a diagram that shows
variable location.
• Final math equation that shows solution for spire height. users will not need to solve the
equation
• Sample, blank, data collection sheet (DCS) for individual teams to fill out. 1 copy per team.

Sample Rubric:

Owner' s Manua l Points

Pos sible Poin ts
Earned

Instrument set up procedure and general instructions and 10

Log of team use: Team # date and signature line
10
Instrument diagram with labels
10
Detailed, numbered operational steps
10
Math Formulas clear and neatly organized

Variables needed to be measured clearly identified

5
Example Worksheet for data collection
Overall coolness and functionality of manual
5

Total 50

JST HHHHHHH 9/13/10

1. Indirect Project Packet

Instrument Rubric

An appara tus f or measuring

Use factors:

Compactness and ease of transp ort

Speed and Ease of use and sighting

User is not on the ground

Robustness
i.e. WIND and STUDENT resistant
Stable

Angula r Measurement

Range Finding

Accuracy a nd pre cision

Needs a built-in Vernier scale

HHHHHHH
Data Collection Worksheet
Design a sheet that each team will use to collect and calculate the spire height. Include:
• Your team names and block
• Place to record the Measured by Names
• Diagram that shows variables to be collected
• Logical sequence of formulas to plug variables into
• Formula that shows s = ___
• Place to record each variable
• Final answer of spire height

JST HHHHHHH 9/13/10

1. Indirect Project Packet

Blair Steeple Name:

Research
Block: Date:

Research at least 2 websites and attach information you found and used to answer these questions

1. Describe the problem.

2. What information do you need to determine the height

of the steeple spire?

3. How does a Range Finder work.

4. What is a Cross Staff and how is it used?

5. How did William Clark manage to measure the heights of the Falls of the Missouri with
such precision that he could say one was "26 feet 5 inches," another "14 feet 7
inches?

JST HHHHHHH 9/13/10

1. Indirect Project Packet

Instrument Concept Name:

Sketch
Block: Date:

6. Sketch a concept design of your instrument on the grid below. Provide a scale that describes each
square size, overall sizes of the instrument, material and construction notes along with the type of
instrument.

JST HHHHHHH 9/13/10

1. Indirect Project Packet

Indirect Instrument Name:

Calibration Name:

Block: Instrument #:

1. Initial height measurement of the light pole with your indirect measurement device.

2. What is the % error comparing measured height to the median height from light pole data
of 7.6m?
(Measured Value - True Value)
Percent Error = x 100%
True Value

3. Calculate the angle from A to the top of the light pole?

If you need to account for the instrument height, what do you need to do?

7.7 meters

15 meters

4. Measure the angle from the 15m arc to the top of the light pole, using your instrument.

5. Angle variation between expected and measured?

6. Measured spire height:

7. What is the difference between accuracy and precision? How would you describe your
device?

8. What are some limitations of your measurement device and methods?

JST HHHHHHH 9/13/10

TOP
1. Indirect Project Packet  Draw a top, front and right side view of
your proposed instrument
 Use pencil and be sure views line up.
 Draw with straight edges
 Dimension individual elements and
overall sizes

FRONT R SIDE

Block:
Instrument Multi-view Name:

aaaaaaaaaa Name:
Date: Team #

JST HHHHHHH 9/13/10

 1. Indirect Project Packet
 Illustrate proposed measurement locations
 Indicate where which instrument type is used
 Show required data needed and mathematical
solution. Solve for spire height h= _____
 Note: The edge of the moat will be farther away
from the building than the overall height of the steeple

1st Floor plan (Top View)

Darn Moat

Projected line of
steeple from top
view. Draw
steeple here…

GROUND LEVEL (Or is it?)

Measurement Solution Name: Block:

aaaaaaaaaa
JST
Name:
HHHHHHH Date: 9/13/10 Team #