About Mark Rappaport Expertise I can give advice on any product or toy related question. I design, engineer and manufacture all of my own products. I have a unique perspective from the creative side all the way through to production. If you have question on next steps or how to get something done, I would be glad to help. I am knowledgeable with regard to licensing agreements and negotiating them from the inventors perspective. I will keep you from spending money where it is not necessary.
Experience I have been inventing for over 40 years. I have work inside 2 major toy companies and understand the corporate environment well. I have own my own development company and licensed toys to many of the major toy companies. I currently own Marky Sparky Toys, Inc. We make and manufacture toys for the specialty toy market. We source and produce everything overseas. www.markysparkytoys.com
Organizations ASTRA,
TIA
Education/Credentials Art Center College of Design,
UCLA
Awards and Honors Hasbro, Toy of the year '95 - '96 - '99
Parents Choice Award 2003
Parents Choice Award 2005
Astra Best Toy 2009
Question QUESTION: Hi, my daughter is in primary school and next week friday (12th) is going to be Science Week in her school. There is a family competition in which parents have to create an alternative powered wheeled vehicle. The vehicle must move without human contact, it must not have a motor, engine or batteries, it must use an alternative source of power (solar, wind or chemical etc.) and it must have wheels.
I've been searching on the net but I cannot find anything, do you have any ideas of something that I can create within a week that will be good enough for this competition and if so can you give me some guidance on the materials and the steps I need to take to create such a vehicle. Thank you I'd appreciate it very much if you can help me.
ANSWER: I Ruben,
I know the feeling. Having 4 of my own I have been involved in many science projects. To start with, I prefer wind power. It is very easy to work with. It's free. You can look online for "landsailing." This will give you a good idea of shape if you choose to go that route. Without knowing if she has to ride it or not I will assume it is a small model. As far as materials to build with, I'd use balsa wood and hot glue as they are light weight and cuts easily. Sheets of paper or tracing paper might make a good sail. Wheels can be purchased at a hobby store. Pinewood Derby wheels might work well. It is important to keep the weight down and have a wide and long wheelbase to avoid tipping. The sail can be a conventional triangle. Take a look at some of the landsailor's and use the pictures for guidance.
For something a little more unique, why not try a shape like a rolling tumbleweed. Build a drum that catches the wind. the entire body is the wheel. Add vanes to a central core. It is certainly fast to test. You can create a simple pinwheel and stick it in the middle of a simple car body (four wheels and a balsa body) and see if you get movement.
If you have the actual project sheet that I can read, send it to me. I think a lot better when I have the rules in front of me. mark@markysparkytoys.com anyway, good luck and remember, it's her project. You are there for guidance. Keep it within her skill level. That way if it doesn't work you don't have to take all the blame.
Just for reference, I built a home made landsailor with my 5th grade son for his science project. It worked great and was great fun.
Mark
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QUESTION: Thank you for your quick reply.
I don’t have the project sheet anymore because I had to send it back to the school as consent. I looked up land sailing and it sounds good enough but what I’m worried about is if there is no wind, how will the vehicle move because it needs to move without any contact from people.
I was thinking about the possibility of maybe having boosters like the ones in space shuttles, but obviously being a small model it would weigh too much.
Like you said it is her project but it’s just that I don’t want her to get to school and see all her friends with something credible and not have nothing herself, just something that will go some distance would be fine.
Answer Ruben,
Somehow I missed this. I sent you a great idea after receiving your follow up but it seems it never got to you. I suggested a Mentos powered car. I described resources to you and a simple way to do it. I am really sorry I let you down. I hope you do well tomorrow. Apologize to your daughter as well. Sometimes technology just isn't perfect!
