Problems/Expectations
Original Racer
One of the main expectations of this project was for the designed racer to be able to complete a series of tasks. There were two tasks the racers were designed for. The racer had to be able to go two to four meters and be able to stop at a certain distance. The racer also had to go in a straight line for at least four meters. Along with the two tasks, all of the various groups in the class has to compete as to whose racer could cover the most distance and whose is the fastest over a distance of two and a half meters.
The racer itself could be made out of any material, but it had to be powered by items that do not require an energy source. This made it so no one could use a small battery-powered engine. Most used rubber bands, but we could also use slingshots, mouse traps, and other miscellaneous household items. Th body, axles, and wheels could be made out of any material we wished.
Final Racer
After the failure of our original design, my team decided to completely get rid of the first idea and just restart the design process. This turned out to be a very good decision and ended with us creating a fully functional racer.
We had the same expectations for the this racer as the last one. We wanted it to be able to go in a straight line, stop at a certain distance, along with being the fastest and farthest-traveling rubber band racer.
The only part of the original racer that we kept was the idea to create the entire thing out of very light materials. This would make the racer more aerodynamic and easier to move. We made water bottles and bottle caps the exception to this rule. Using light poster board and other hollow materials would be a better option.