Engineering Challenge #5: Building a Solar Car

Subject Area Physical Science
Age or Grade 6th grade
Estimated Length 13 45 minute classes
Prerequisite knowledge/skills That energy can change forms
How to construct a car that can run in a straight line
Description of New Content  
Goals Design a car that can hold an empty soda can and move in a straight line being run only off of solar power.
Materials Needed

wooden dowel
small cardboard box (shoe box recommended)
small circular wheels (CDs recommended)
empty soda can
motor
gear or pulley set
rubber band
solar panel
battery pack
scissors
hot glue gun and glue sticks
ruler
design notebook

Procedure

Opener
Reviewing lessons learned from Mousetrap Car

Development
Planning Your Prototype
Building the Car

Closure
Racing the Car
Evaluation Communicating About Your Prototype page 1 page 2
Extensions N/A
References N/A