Canadian Technologies Presentation

Your Task:
Give an oral presentation, in groups of two or three, explaining the history of and science
behind a Canadian motion-related technology. You must use your knowledge of motion as
learned in this unit (in addition to any other learned physical concepts) to explain how your
object works.
Requirements:
1. Choose a Canadian motion-related technology/device from the list below. If you have
another idea, it must be discussed and approved by your teacher before you begin your
research. There is only one group allowed per technology. The group that signs up for a topic
first will be the group that is allowed to research the topic.
a) The Jolly Jumper a device for bouncing infants, invented by Olivia Poole
b) The Sanivan garbage truck developed by Rinaldo Boissonault and Sicard, Inc.
c) Light rail transport systems, manufactured by Bombardier, Inc.
d) The giraffe truck motorized elevated platform, by W.E. Thornton-Trump.
e) The Nodwell carrier off-road cargo vehicle, by Bruce Nodwell of Calgary, AB
f) Fuel-cell technology, developed by Ballard Power Systems of Vancouver, B.C.
g) The Canadarm remote manipulator used on the Space Shuttle and its successor on the
International Space Station Project.
h) The rotary internal combustion engine.
i) The variable pitch propeller developed by Wallace Turnbull.
j) The G-suit developed by Dr. W.R. Franks at the University of Toronto to prevent pilots
from losing consciousness during high-speed manoeuvres
k) The Ski-Doo developed by Armand Bombardier
l) The rotary plough (pre-cursor to todays snowblowers) by George Bury
m) The kayak Inuit people
n) Self-propelled combine developed by Thomas Carroll
o) The STEM antenna for space vehicles developed by George Klein
p) Open project - Some other Canadian made motion technology you find yourself. Get
approval from the teacher before you go ahead with an original technology.

2. Prepare a three minute presentation to explain your technology to your classmates. Your
presentation must include the following information:
- The background of the scientist or inventor.
- The particular problem being investigated and why.
- How and when the device was developed.
- How the device works (the physics of the device). Do more than just give a mechanical
explanation of how the device works. Try to touch on the scientific ideas that make the
device possible. (Eg. If your device was the rubber ball, you should look up the physics
of what makes things bounce and explain it as part of your presentation.)
- Improvements or refinements that have been made since the device was first invented. How
has the device changed since then?
Your presentation should not consist of only reading information from an overhead,
powerpoint presentation, or cue cards. Think about asking questions, or present in a nontraditional way (ex: skit, demo). Make sure you include visual aids.
- Ask the class if there are any questions at the end of your talk and be prepared to answer
them well!
- You must submit a list of sources of information (ie: website, books, journals, magazines)
to your teacher before your begin your presentation. You must have a minimum of 5
sources.
- All group members contribute presenting or will not be given a mark.
Notes regarding using technology:
- You will not be guaranteed access to the internet to do your presentation, so dont assume
you can show an online video. You are the star, not the internet.
- Your presentation should be loaded on a USB flash drive.
- Reading a PowerPoint word-for-word makes the teacher cry. Dont do this. You will get a
really bad mark as everyone hates this. Good presentations are made up of mostly pictures
(with perhaps a few key points) and explaining the images.