STEM

Summer 2025

Year 6

Model Cars

We began our topic by building model cars made from MDF.

We used a saw to cut the axles down to size and used the hot glue gun to stick the different parts of the car together.

We drilled the holes for the wheels and created an electrical circuit comprising a motor, a switch and two 1.5-volt batteries to power the car.

Testing our cars....

Once the cars were built, we investigated whether the surface a car travels on has an impact on the speed at which it travels. Each group recorded how long it took for the car to travel a set distance on different surfaces around the school e.g., school hall, MUGA, classroom, school yard, etc.

Each group took a total of 3 recordings and used their numeracy skills to calculate the average time.

We then used the Speed, Distance, Time Formula to calculate how fast the car was travelling on each of the surfaces.

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Many skills were used during the making of our wooden cars. We encountered many design faults, uneven axels, exels which had been made too short, motors which were not correctly connected. Each fault was explored and rectified and the groups learnt through experience.

Precise work

Using new tools

Once we had completed out wooden kit car we added an electric circuit to power the motor.

We tested the cars on different surfaces after devising fair tests.

We then used the speed formula, distance over time.

We displayed our results with hand drawn bar charts

We focused on sketching and drawing technically in order to show perspective in designs. This focus on shape and shading helped our designs to become more realistic.

We worked on dimensions

The cars were placed in a variety of positions and these were sketched

Observation of 3D shapes enhanced sketch and design

A focus was put on sketching techniques

We investigated pencil pressure and effects made

Observation helped our understanding of perspective

Race Car Testing

Sponsor Logos!

Our famous sponsor, George North, owner of Baffle Haus!

We decided to ask our sponsors if we could have number plates with GEARS 1 and GELACTIC GEARS. We managed to get Autoparts and LDS Motor factors to supply the plates.

Plates ✅

Plastics from Ensinger

spray paint galaxy with star driver!

Race ready!

Science - Electricity

Series and Parallel Circuits....

Once we had recapped on series circuits, we moved on to look at parallel circuits and how they differ from series circuits.

After experimenting with circuits and wiring our wooden car, we decided to further experiment with motors, vehicles and fans.

Race Car Name & Logo Design

We thought of lots of different names for our electric race car, but decided on 'Cobra Kart' after a class vote.

We then moved on to designing a logo for our race car. We primarily used Adobe Express to create our logos and used the 'AI Generate Image' tool to create different designs.

Once the cars had been made we set about testing them in categories. We looked at speed, movement, appearance, stability, build quality, creativity. We also evaluated out group's collaboration and problem- solving

Fine- tuning before testing

Problem- shooting

Straightening axels

Team- work!

Evaluating

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Testing!

Modifying

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Success!

Ready for testing

Which was a better runner, wooden or kitchen roll? Why?

FINAL DESIGNs

We came up with lots of design ideas and had many discussions as a class about features that we liked before finally deciding on a favourite.

This was the logo we settled on......

Once we were happy with our logo, we began work on designing the body work of the car. We decided to match the bodywork to the colour scheme used in the logo.

Team Galactica spent a while discussing the theme for our car. It was decided that we should have a name associated with speed and it was suggested that the theme should be linked to space.

The children rehearsed "Don't Stop me Now."

Each person made a logo. The name GALACTIC GEARS was voted for and Team Galactica was born!