The Problem:

California plans to ban sales of new gas cars by 2035, requiring all vehicles to be electric or hydrogen powered.  But is there another way to make cars move?  With balloon energy?

The Goal:

OK, we may not be able to power a giant car with a balloon, but we can power a little one made out of recycled materials!  This project is all about potential and kinetic energy, as well as the laws of motion.  The challenge will be to design a car out of recycled materials and then use the balloon to make it move.  

NGSS Connections:

Third grade

3-PS2-1. Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.  

3-PS2-2. Make observations and/or measurements of an object’s motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion. 

Engineering Design K-2

ETS1-1.  Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

Engineering Design 3-5

ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. 

ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. 

ETS1-3: Students who demonstrate understanding can:

Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

ETS1-4: Students who demonstrate understanding can:  

Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved 

Materials Needed:

• Any recycled materials to make something that can roll

• Balloons

• Measuring Tape/Meter Stick(s) to measure how far the racer rolled

Criteria

• Racers must move with only the inflated balloon as power

• Any materials can be used for the racer

Extensions

• Make constraints on materials by having them stick to a budget (each item costs a certain amount), or use other constraints such as time or limited materials.  Make weight a constraint - it must be less than a certain number of ounces/grams.

• Make it a competition - Who can go the furthest?  Fastest?  

• Do more with measurement - 

  • After they measure how far their car went, collect it as a class and find mean, median, mode.  

  • Have them measure to the nearest inch/foot, half inch, quarter inch, etc.  

  • Conversions!  Convert to meters or vice versa.  Convert inches to feet or feet to yards, etc.