Potato Chip Challenge-ALGEBRA class ONLY

What is the Potato Chip Challenge?
A team of students will design and test a container for shipping a single “Pringles” potato chip, via the postal service. Upon arrival the packages will be evaluated and scored using the format in the scoring attachment. The goal is to design the package to have the smallest volume and smallest mass that will protect the chip so that it arrives at its destination undamaged.

Rules and Regulations:
1. Students will use 1 (regular) Pringles potato chip and materials of their choosing to create a device that will protect the chip on its journey through the postal system. Packages must be constructed using single-ply cardboard rather than 2-ply or reinforced cardboard materials. (Cereal box, Kleenex box, etc.) Jewelry boxes and special shipping boxes are not allowed. Students may choose a variety of materials for packing; however, the materials cannot be wood or glass and must not leave a wet or greasy spot on a paper towel.

2. No substance may be applied to the chip and the chip may not be altered in any way. The chip must be edible when received by the evaluating school.

3. An entry form must be completed for each package. (See entry attachment). You will be receiving a separate entry number for each package you have elected to send. Entry number must be on every package sent. Entry forms must be sent in a separate envelope, so that special unpacking instructions can be read prior to opening. If special unpacking instructions are needed they should be written on the entry form. Add “CODE P” to the outside of the package to indicate that special unpacking instructions have been provided on the entry form.

4. The package must have a mass of less than 300 grams in the “ready to mail” form, which means that it is loaded with a chip, wrapped in paper, and sealed with tape. Students into account the mass of the chip, mailing paper and tape as they prepare their chip containers to make sure they don’t go over the limit.

5. Package must be clearly labeled on the outside with the sending school and group. Teams are not allowed to write anything on the outside of the package except the To/From addresses, team number, and "CODE P" if needed. Teams cannot indicate any special handling requirements (“Fragile” or “Handle With Care”) or anything that would provide clues to the contents of the package on the outside of their package.

6. Packages must be mailed via U.S. Postal Service (Standard Service) or comparable postal system. Choose the cheapest option available. FeDEx, UPS, and other specialty services are not allowed.

Scoring Procedures:
Once the package is finished, the following measurements must be made by the sending team and recorded on their entry form:
(1) Mass of the package rounded to the nearest tenth of a gram. Measurements will need to be converted to kilograms before calculating the score.

(2). Volume of the package in cubic centimeters. (Measurements should be taken to the nearest tenth of a centimeter. Round the final answer to the nearest cubic centimeter.)
Once the package has been received, receiving teams should find the entry form for that package. If "CODE P" is indicated on the outside of the package, they should review the unpacking instructions on the entry form. Receiving teams will need to determine the "Intactness Score" of the chip using the following scale and record that information on the entry form.


INTACTNESS SCORE (I.S.):

PERFECTLY INTACT - like it just left the factory = 100 Points
SLIGHTLY DAMAGED - cracked, but still in one piece = 50 Points
CHIPPED CHIP - chipped along the edges with 90% of chip intact = 40 Points
MODERATELY DAMAGED - cracked with < pieces =" 20">
SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED - chipped and cracked <20 pieces =" 10">
POTATO DUST - too many to count >20 pieces = 1 Point


Overall Score:
Receiving teams should use the information on the entry form to calculate the final score. The highest overall score for a package will be the one used to determining the winners. In the case of a tie, the package with the smallest volume will be declared the winner.

Overall Score = Intactness Score (c) ÷ [Mass in kg (a) x Volume in cm3 (b)]


Scoring Examples:
Example 1:
Mass = 145 g (or 0.145 kg)Volume = 240 cu. cmI.S. = 100 (perfect chip)
SCORE = 100 ÷ [0.145 x 240] = 2.87

Example 2:
Mass = 250 g (or 0.250 kg)Volume = 320 cu. cmI.S. = 100 (perfect chip)
Score: 100 ÷ [0.250 x 320] = 1.25