Pushcart Specifications & Details
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Designing and developing a pushcart can be an enjoyable and productive way of introducing primary students to technology, science and environmental education. The machine, powered solely by students, is based on the old fashioned billycart.

An integral part of the building of this pushcart involves students thinking creatively and innovatively in the design, development and construction of such a vehicle to ensure that it performs efficiently and effectively across all areas of the event. 

There are two sections in the pushcarts:

•     Section 1: schools with 150 or less students

•     Section 2: schools with more than 150 students.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

•    Teams of eight students will, with assistance if required, design and build a pushcart according to the specifications which follow.

•     Each team of eight must include at least four girls.

•     Each team member must participate in all stages of the event, including Design and Construction, Display and Presentation and track events (sprint relay and endurance relay) which will be based at Maryborough in November.

•     The team may obtain the assistance of other students, parents, friends, local tradespeople, community groups, etc, in the development of the pushcart. However, adults and other students are not permitted to assist the team when competing.

DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

General •     The basic design is a billycart with four wheels, a roll-push bar, a brake and front steering. (Roll bar can be push bar or they can be separate.) •     Any construction material may be used, provided that the safety requirements are met. No car or motorbike parts may be used except seat belts, which are a safety item. •     Every component of the cart in its dismantled state must fit into an imaginary box 10 cm deep. The cart can be as high or as elaborate as desired providing it can be disassembled to meet this requirement. •     The front of the pushcart must have foam protection (minimum of 4 cm thickness of foam) to prevent injury should the cart collide with another, or the feet or legs of another pusher. •     Moving bolts on the pushcart must have lock nuts or double nuts or be designed so that they don’t work loose during the trial. Brakes •     A brake must operate on at least one rear wheel. The brake control or pedal must be controlled by the rider and have a definite ‘off’ position. •     The brake is to be operated by the driver.

Wheels and Steering

•     Wheels, including tyres, must not exceed 250 mm in diameter.

•     Front wheels must not contact the cart on full steering lock causing front wheels to lock.

•     The steering is to be operated by the driver, that is, not the pusher.

Safety

•     Protruding bolts must be cut off and jagged edges filed smooth.

•     The design shall be free of protrusions or other features capable of causing interference or injury to fellow competitors or spectators.

•     The roll bar must provide protection to the driver. It must be at least 10 cm above the head of the tallest team member while sitting in the pushcart. It can also serve as a push bar.

•     Each member of the team must wear knee and elbow pads, an approved bicycle helmet and protective gloves.

SEAT BELTS

Type

•     The vehicle shall be fitted with an approved (Australian Design Rules) adult three point (minimum) automotive static or inertia reel seat belt.

•     Automotive full harness types are acceptable.

•     The seat belt will be completely standard, including buckle, stitching and mounting plates and must be adjustable for each individual rider.

•     Second-hand belts free of visible damage are acceptable.

•     Seat belts must be adjustable to fit all individual team members.

Mounting

•     The seat belt should be mounted to a major structural, non-moving member of the cart.

•     Upper belts should be mounted behind the rider’s shoulders, to suitably braced points on the roll bar.

Stability

•     If a rear step is installed to enable the pusher to scoot the vehicle, the cart must be stable while the heaviest pusher is standing on the step and the lightest driver is sitting in the pushcart.

•     Pushcarts must demonstrate stability to compete in all events of the Breakthrough.

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION

•     Each vehicle is required to have two white identification panels measuring 100 mm x 100 mm for displaying the team’s number. These panels must be fitted to the side and the front of the pushcart. They must be pliable and not constitute a danger to pusher or driver. Numbers will be supplied on registration.

•     An ‘RACV Tested’ sticker will be supplied after the scrutineering ‘all clear’ has been obtained. This is to be displayed above or below the number at the front of the pushcart. Provision must be made for this in the front identification panel.

•     Provision may need to be made for the display of sponsor panels.

SCRUTINEERING

•     All teams must present their pushcart and eight team members to the judges for scrutineering of safety requirements before participating.

•     An RACV Tested sticker will be allocated to teams after successful completion of scrutineering.

•     Pushcarts will not be permitted to participate without a sticker.

PUSHCART EVENTS

Design and Construction

The purpose of Design and Construction is to assess the team’s knowledge and understanding of the pushcart and its design and construction. This event also enables the judges to assess teamwork, practical skills and understanding as well as the design features of the vehicle. In this component, they will be looking for:

·         competence at assembly

·         innovation in design

·         construction of pushcart

·         overall team approach

·         use of recycled materials

·         technology skills

·         involvement of other people in design.

Within the Design and Construction component, each team will be required to:

•     rebuild the dismantled pushcart within 30 minutes. In the unlikely event of a team taking more than 30 minutes to assemble the pushcart, the attempt will be abandoned for assessment purposes.

•     negotiate an OBSTACLE COURSE on both sealed and grassed surfaces.

The Trials

•     A Sprint relay and an Endurance Relay will test all aspects of vehicle design, construction and reliability as well as student fitness and teamwork.

•     The sprint relay will be conducted over a 50 metre straight track with each team member having a turn of pushing and driving.

•     Points will be allocated on the basis of time.

•     The Endurance Relay will be conducted on a circular street with each team member having a turn of pushing and driving. Each person will be required to push for approximately 250 metres and then drive for approximately 250 metres before change-over.

•     Teams will be required to participate in both the Sprint and Endurance relay.

•     Power for the vehicle must come solely from the single team member who is pushing the pushcart.

•     The pusher may ride on the back of the cart while scooting along.

•     Ultimate success on the track will depend as much upon fitness and teamwork as on the design of the vehicle.

Display and Presentation

The purpose of Display and Presentation is for team members to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the entry. The team will be required to present a record, visually and orally, of:

•     The various aspects of the project

•     How the pushcart was developed

•     What problems arose and how they were overcome

•     Sketches, mock ups

•     How other students and other people were involved

•     How studies were integrated in the development of the pushcart

•     How the team prepared for the Breakthrough.

NB: The display area is not to exceed 2 x 2 metres.