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Kate Todd

Cardboard Car Challenge

Grades: 4th Grade, 3rd Grade
Subjects: Science, STEAM

Student Instructions

You will use various sustainable recycled materials and your understanding of forces to create a moving cardboard car. You need to think carefully about the materials you are using and which force/s you will use to power your car. Watch the video to get some ideas. Use the label to write down the materials that you will use. Take a photo of your cardboard car design and use the label to label your diagram. Build your car and then take a photo or video of your design. Explain what you did well when making your design. Explain what you could do to improve the design of your car.

Teacher Notes (not visible to students)

Provocation: LUCA Clip - "Vespa Is Freedom!" (2021) Class discussion / board brainstorm: When we design something, what is important to remember? When we work in a group what is important to remember? What do good scientists do when they design something? (Try to elicit: Test a design, modify, review, evaluate success) Just like Luca did when he built the bike. He tested it and it fell apart so he would have to reevaluate his design. Introduce this assessment task. Students will use a range of sustainable recycled materials and their understanding of forces to create a moving cardboard car. Students will need to think carefully about the materials you are using and which force/s you will use to power your car. Brainstorm your ideas in the box below. Watch some videos about different types of cars: BALLOON POWERED CAR: Make your own! How To Make a Mini Latch Rubber Band Car - DIY TOYS CAR Young Engineers: The Best Rubber Band Car - Hands-On Engineering Project for Kids and Middle School Dual Powered Rubber Band Powered Car Students will need to: Brainstorm ideas for the car + conduct research Identify the materials that the students will need to make the card Explain which forces the car will use to propel the car forward Draw a labelled model of the car Students need to explain what they are going to do to test their car model and the success of their model Discuss the above design areas as a class. The teacher may wish to model how to complete this process.

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