Design Your Own Snazzy Sneakers
For this maker challenge, students work through the engineering design process, as they decide on specific design requirements (such as good traction or deep cushioning), sketch their plans, and then use a variety of materials to build prototype shoes that meet the design criteria. The bottoms (soles) of sneakers provide support, cushioning, flexibility and traction as makes sense for the sport or activity. In addition, some sneakers are intended to be fashionable with cool colors, materials or added height. Sneakers are engineered products that use a mix of materials to create highly functional, useful shoes.
Lots of engineering goes into the shoes on your feet!Copyright 2006 Irum Shahid, Free Images http://www.freeimages.com/photo/sneakers-1420693
- an assortment of materials to provide cushioning, support, protection, flexibility, height and/or traction for shoe prototype construction, such as fabric, canvas, sponges, foam packing material, foam core board, rubber gloves, rubber baseboard, sandpaper, brillo pads, paint
- an assortment of fabrication tools and adhesives to work with the materials, such as scissors, twine, glue and tape
Contributors
Denise W. Carlson
Supporting Program
ITL Program, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Colorado Boulder
Acknowledgements
This maker challenge was inspired by the Engineer a Sneaker activity that was created by the Making the Connection, Women in Engineering Programs and Advocates Network (WEPAN), and funded by Lucent Technologies Foundation.
Copyright
2016 by Regents of the University of Colorado