Balloon Powered Race Car (Janica Henzie and Megan Whitaker)

Author(s)

Megan Whitaker- Science Teacher, Pacoima Middle School

Janica Henzie- Science Teacher, John Muir Middle School

NGSS Engineering Standards

MS-ETS1-1: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.

ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions

ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution

MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

Materials needed

List any other materials that are necessary or helpful when using this demonstration device

Whitaker's Materials:

Henzie's Materials:

  • small cardboard box

  • 1 drinking straw

  • 2 coffee stirs

  • 4 plastic bottle caps

  • 1 rubber band

  • 1 balloon

  • cardboard

  • drinking straws

  • bamboo skewers

  • tape

  • balloon

Procedure

Provide a step by step procedure that explains the engineering activity

Whitaker's Procedure:

1.

Henzie's Procedure:

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8. Inflate the balloon, block the end with your finger, and place it on the ground. Let go of the straw and the car will go.

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11. After the car is made, you can blow up the balloon, set it down and let it go!

Questions

  • Describe where your car is experiencing rolling friction.

  • Describe where you car has potential energy. When does the potential energy become kinetic energy? What does the kinetic energy do?

  • Choose one of Newton's 3 Laws of motion and describe how it relates to your Balloon powered race car.

Photos

Whitaker's Pictures

Henzie's Pictures

Mine only went 1.5 meters, but I extrapolated the time for 3 meters.

Movies

Include movies that you have taken. Your movies should be placed in your youtube account.

Henzie's Videos

Whitaker's Videos

References

Provide links to relevant websites.

Henzie's Design from Steve Spangler Science

Whitaker's Design from Google Drive