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| {{blc| Challenge: Pump drill }}{{ct|challenge }}
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| Survival Challenge: Make a Pump Drill
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| Objective
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| Students will design and construct a working pump drill using natural and provided materials. This activity teaches engineering principles, problem-solving, and tool-making skills, critical in survival scenarios.
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| Materials Needed
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| Provided Materials:
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| Drill Bit: Metal or salvaged piece (can be substituted with a sharp stone or nail for primitive use).
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| Cordage: Strong string, twine, or paracord.
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| Natural or Salvaged Materials:
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| Drill Shaft: A straight branch or dowel (about 18–24 inches long).
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| Flywheel: A heavy, flat piece like a stone with a hole, a wooden disk, or a salvaged object like a metal plate.
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| Handle: A crossbar, such as a sturdy stick or dowel (about 12 inches long).
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| Tools:
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| Knife for carving.
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| Awl or drill for creating holes.
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| Sandpaper (optional, for smoothing).
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| Safety Gear:
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| Gloves and goggles.
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| Preparation
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| Set Up Workspace:
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| Create a safe area for carving, drilling, and assembling.
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| Provide safety instructions on tool use and handling sharp objects.
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| Learning Stations:
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| Engineering Principles: Explain how the pump drill works using inertia and rotational motion.
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| Material Selection: Teach students how to choose sturdy wood or materials for durability.
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| Tool Assembly: Demonstrate each step of the construction process.
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| Sample Pump Drill: Have a completed drill for demonstration.
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| Challenge Instructions
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| Step 1: Construct the Drill Shaft
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| Find or cut a straight branch or dowel about 18–24 inches long.
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| Carve one end to securely hold the drill bit or sharp object.
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| Step 2: Create the Flywheel
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| Select a heavy material (e.g., stone, wood disk, or metal plate).
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| Drill or carve a hole in the center to fit snugly onto the shaft.
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| Slide the flywheel onto the shaft and secure it with glue, wedges, or cordage.
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| Step 3: Make the Handle and Cord Mechanism
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| Drill a hole through the shaft near the top, leaving enough space for the handle to move freely.
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| Insert the crossbar through the hole to serve as the handle.
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| Tie a length of cordage to the top of the shaft, loop it around the crossbar, and tie it back to the shaft below the handle.
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| Step 4: Assemble the Drill
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| Attach the drill bit to the bottom of the shaft using glue, a notch, or lashings.
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| Step 5: Test the Pump Drill
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| Place the bit against a soft wood surface or material to drill.
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| Pump the crossbar up and down to create rotational motion.
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| Adjust cord tension or flywheel weight as needed for optimal performance.
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| Challenge Variations
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| Timed Challenge: Compete to construct a functional pump drill within a set time.
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| Material Scavenger Hunt: Include a search for natural or salvaged components.
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| Advanced Engineering: Test designs for efficiency by drilling through progressively tougher materials.
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| Decorative Challenge: Award points for creativity in the appearance of the finished drill.
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| Debrief and Reflection
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| Discuss the role of tools like the pump drill in historical and survival contexts.
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| Reflect on challenges faced during construction and how they were overcome.
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| Encourage students to share insights about teamwork, resourcefulness, and innovation.
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| This challenge combines hands-on learning with engineering principles, perfectly aligned with Acton Academy's philosophy of fostering curiosity and self-directed growth.
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