Looking for a great project that is adaptable for middle or high school students? Scroll down for details.
Gravity eRacer procedural video
Gravity eRacer procedural video - HD
Starting time for video instructional sections are listed below.
2:47 - Drawing isometric and multiviews of vehicle
4:10 - Drawing the vehicle outside dimensions
6:28 - Drawing left and right sides; front and back
8:55 - Locating axle holes
11:17 - Cutting out vehicle body
12:30 - Punching location holes for axles
13:00 - Score and fold vehicle body
14:25 - Tape corners
15:21 - Make axle bearings
18:58 - Assemble axle bearings to vehicle body
22:33 - Measure and cut axle bearings to correct length
24:18 - Measure and cut axles to correct length
26:12 - Making wheels
29:55 - Finding center of each wheel
31:29 - Punching axle holes in wheels
32:03 - Attaching wheels to axles
33:00 - Cab construction example
33:55 - Customize vehicle example
Track photo - This track was built with 1" diameter PVC tube and one 4' x 8' sheet of 1/4" thick Polyethylene cut into three 15.75" wide pieces. Each lane is approximately 7" wide. Car example - Cars are constructed using card stock weight paper.
Project sharing at 2018 MTEEA Fall Conference - STEM Showcase at 2019 ITEEA Conference in Kansas City - STEM Showcase discussion at 2019 ITEEA Conference - Display at 2020 (February 2021) MTEEA Virtual Conference - 2021 ITEEA STEM Showcase preview - 2021 ITEEA Virtual STEM Showcase display - Display at 2021 MTEEA Fall Conference - Display at 2022 MTEEA Fall Conference - STEM Showcase at 2023 ITEEA Conference in Minneapolis - Display at 2023 MTEEA Fall Conference - Information handed out at STEM Showcases
Photo of an aluminum foil track a student could use at home - Photo of a paper towel track a student could use at home
Video of Gravity eRacer going down an aluminum foil track which a student could use at home
Video of Gravity eRacer going down a paper towel track which a student could use at home
Track is made using 9-10 feet of aluminum foil or paper towels stretched from edge of table top to the floor. Taped at both ends.
~ Gravity eRacer promo video (1:44 in length ~ no sound) ~ Gravity eRacer promo video (1:44 in length ~ with sound) ~
~ 30x speed video of Gravity eRacer construction (1:14 in length ~ no sound) ~
Day by day plans (PDF) (Word).
Isometric practice (PDF) (Word) - Isometric practice example
Thumbnail sketches (PDF) (Word) - Thumbnail sketches example
Isometric and working drawing worksheet (PDF)
Isometric and working drawing worksheet example
Full scale body example drawings
This YouTube video helps explain science concepts that enhance the importance of building good axle bearings, axles and wheels for the project.
This YouTube video shows the world's fastest Gravity Racer setting an 85.6 mph record.
Wheel patterns (PDF)
Possible discussion topics for independent learners or for whole class during project.
Speed calculations and reflection worksheet (PDF) (Word)
Cars built to last - short video showing concept cars of the 1950's