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~Wave Erosion Design Challenge~

Design Brief

Background:

In recent years, barrier beaches of the Jersey Shore have become the victims of intense
and repeated wave erosion. Barrier beaches are long, narrow islands that form parallel
to the coast. These islands protect the mainland from wave erosion. Additionally, many
people build their homes and business on barrier beaches. Thus, barrier beaches
communities are very susceptible to wave erosion and must be prepared for the damage
that longshore drift, hurricanes, and tropical storms can bring.

Problem:

You are an engineer working for the New Jersey Resource Protection Agency (NJRPA).
You need to design a way to protect a Jersey Shore barrier beach from being eroded
away. Using your research, imagination, and creativity, create a model of a shoreline
protection solution to be tested!

Criteria (requirements): Constraints (limits):

An innovative design must:
● Include at least two techniques to
protect the barrier beach from being
eroded away
● Utilize at least three different
materials
● Construction must occur in class
(½ class period for building, ½
class period for testing)
● Success of design will be based on
how much sand has been removed
from barrier beach after simulated
wave test

Materials: Tools:
● Students bring in their own ● Sand, aluminum tray, and water
materials will be provided
● Avoid buying materials; use
household items
● No electronics, foods or hazardous
materials
Name ___________________________ Date _______________ Period_______

Getting to Know the Problem

1. In your own words, describe the problem you are working to solve:
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2. Research this topic by reading the provided articles and pages in your books. Then, answer
the following questions. (You may also conduct your own research at home using the internet
with your parent/guardian’s permission.)

a. Name and explain 3 technique that could be used to protect barrier beaches from wave erosion?
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b. What kind of challenges might be involved with trying to prevent wave erosion?
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 Brainstorm
In the space below, sketch at least two possible design ideas for your prototype. Make sure
you label your sketches and provide details about the techniques used in each design. If you
would like to sketch additional design ideas, do so on a separate piece of paper.
 Developing a Solution
Meet with your group and choose one design that you feel will be the most successful. Below, sketch
the final blueprint of the design that your group has chosen. Your blueprint must...
● be neat and detailed
● include labels to identify each material in your design
● Include labels to indicate the dimensions (size) of your design
 Developing a Solution (continued) - Rationale
A rationale is an explanation of why you have chosen to do something. Answer the questions below to
help you formulate a rationale.

1. Describe the technique(s) / feature(s) that you have included in your design to protect your barrier
beach from being eroded by waves.
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2. Explain why you chose this design and how it will protect your barrier beach. Support your decision
with scientific reasoning.
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 Data Sheet
Use the data sheet below to collect data on the test results of your classmates’ prototypes.

Centimeters of sand
Group Materials used Techniques/ features lost due to wave
erosion

6
 Evaluate
Use your data sheet to answer the following questions.

1. Which materials appeared to be the most effective?

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2. Which techniques and features appeared to be the most effective?

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3. Did your design solve the problem of this design challenge? (functional and reduce erosion)
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4. What improvements could you make to your design?

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 Redesign
Use what you have learned throughout this design challenge to design an improved version of
your original prototype. Your blueprint must...

● be neat and detailed

● include labels to identify each material in your design
● Include labels to indicate the dimensions (size) of your design
 Wave Erosion Design Challenge Reflection
1. What did you learn throughout this design challenge?
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1. Did your group work well together? Why or why not?

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2. What would you do differently if you did this challenge again?

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