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In this activity, learners build a racecar using only a rubber band, spool, straw, and paper clip! This racer is a classic toy that zips across a flat surface. The activity links to different ideas about stored energy and motion energy. Also included are suggestions for ways to take your racer to the next level - hills!
- Under 5 minutes
- 30 to 45 minutes
- 1 cent - $1 per student
- Ages 6 - 11
- Activity
- English, Spanish
Quick Guide
Materials List (per student)
- 1 drinking straw (or a pencil or toothpick)
- 1 large spool (at least 1 ¼ inches in diameter)
- Masking tape
- 1 metal washer (1 inch or less in diameter works best)
- 1 rubber band (just a little longer than the spool’s height)
- 1 small paper clip (shorter than the spool’s diameter)
Subjects
- Engineering and Technology
- Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
- Engineering
- Physical Sciences
- Energy
- Potential and Kinetic Energy
- Energy and Power
- Work and Machines
- Motion and Forces
- Machines
- Rotation Motion
- Energy
- The Nature of Technology
- The Design Process
- Invention and Innovation
- Problem Solving
- Troubleshooting and Maintenance
- The Design Process
Informal Categories
- Toys
- Transportation
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- be mobile
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Foreign language versions of this resource:
Components that are part of this resource:
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- WGBH
Source Collection:
- FETCH! With Ruff Ruffman
Rights:
- All Rights Reserved, WGBH Educational Foundation, ©2007
Funding Sources:
- National Science Foundation, 0610406
- Public television viewers
- Arby's
- Greendog
