Welcome to Mission Impossible.

You and your team of spies have been approached by the foremost company in infrared
security systems, Hatch Corp., and asked to go head to head with their new infrared sensors. Your mission is to utilize
your knowledge of how light interacts with materials and design a system in which one member of your team can navigate
through an obstacle course while avoiding the triggering of the infrared sensors. Not only will the course be monitored by
sensors, but also by a series of lasers in which your team will have to identify. If your team either sets off a sensor or
breaks a laser beam, you will have to restart the course. If your team achieves success, there is a tasty prize found at the
end. Good Luck!

Instructions:
1. Design: Each team (groups up to 3) will design a system/method that will accomplish the following:
(a) Allow one member of your team to navigate through an obstacle course without triggering the
infrared sensors. (If the sensors are triggered, the lights will automatically turn on!)
(b) Enables the member of your team to identify where the laser beams are located throughout the
course.
2. Plan: Your team will first prepare a plan of your system, which will include:
(a) Scale drawing of your system in the form of a RAY DIAGRAM.
(b) An explanation for your choice of design.
(c) Materials list with an explanation for your choice of materials.
3. Prototype: Once you have submitted your design and had either Mr. Hatch or Mr. E.T. approve your
plan, you may begin construction of your system, based on your design.
4. Pre-testing: Before the final test, each team will be allowed to preform two timed test runs. After
testing, teams will identify strengths and weaknesses of their design and offer suggestions for
improvement.
5. Final Test: During the final test, each team will have one chance to make it through the course. If
multiple teams make it to the end, the team that does it in the shortest amount of time will win.
6. Analysis: After the final test, each team member will answer the questions found in the Mission
Impossible Handout.

Mission Impossible Handout

Name: ________________________________

Team Members: ___________________________________

1. Mission Impossible Strategy Ray Diagram:

2. Materials List:
Material

Reason for Use

Design Approval: _______________________

3. Pre-testing:
Test #

Time

Pass / Fail

If failed, what happened?

Test
#1

Test
#2

How effective was your design at disguising your team member from the infrared sensors? Explain.
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After completing your two pre-test runs, what suggestions for improvement would you have for your
design?
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4. Final Test:
Test #

Time

Pass / Fail

If failed, what happened?

Test
#1

How effective was your design at disguising your team member from the infrared sensors? Explain.
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What aspects of your design made it more or less effective? Explain.

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Mission Impossible Rubric

Performance
Level

4
Excellent

3
Proficient

2
Adequate

1. Ray Diagram
Scale drawing of
design.

Provides a concise
scale drawing Ray
Diagram.

Provides an
accurate scale
drawing Ray
Diagram.

2. Explanation of
chosen materials.

Provides a detailed
& insightful
explanation of
design and
materials

Provides a clear &

logical explanation
of design and
materials

Provides a
generally accurate
scale drawing Ray
Diagram.
Provides a partial
& reasonable
explanation of
design and
materials

3. Construction of
strategy /design

The constructed
design is a precise
representation of
the design.

Criteria

4. Testing of the
effectiveness of
the design

5. Team
Participation
(completed by
teammates)

Teammate name:
Mark (1-4)

Reason for chosen

mark

The design is
totally effective at
disguising the
individual from the
infrared sensors
and the
identification of the
laser beams
The individual
constantly
participated and
regularly provided
assistance and
insights to the
group project

The constructed
design is an
accurate
representation of
the design.
The design is
mostly effective at
disguising the
individual from the
infrared sensors
and the
identification of the
laser beams
The individual
frequently
participated and
often provided
assistance and
insights to the
group project

The constructed
design is a basic
representation of
the design.
The design is
partly effective at
disguising the
individual from the
infrared sensors
and the
identification of the
laser beams
The individual
occasionally
participated and
intermittently
provided assistance
and insights to the
group project

/ 20
1
Limited

0
Insufficient

Provides a basic
scale drawing Ray
Diagram.

Insufficient
evidence for grade

Provides a vague
& unsupported
explanation of
design and
materials
The constructed
design is an
impractical
representation of
the design.
The design is
ineffective at
disguising the
individual from the
infrared sensors
and the
identification of the
laser beams
The individual
rarely participated
and minimally
provided assistance
and insights to the
group project

Insufficient
evidence for grade

Insufficient
evidence for grade

Insufficient
evidence for grade

Insufficient
evidence for grade