The transportation world needs your help in developing alternative means of energy for

the use in automobiles of the future. Gasoline is getting expensive and is a nonrenewable resource. Engineers are currently developing other types of energy sources
that include renewable resources. Wind power is one example of a renewable
resource, but can it be used to power our cars?

Activity Steps:
Your challenge, is to build an air powered car using only the
materials provided and within the limited timeframe. Use your
time wisely; you will only have 35 minutes to build your car.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

MATERIALS:

Scissors
3 Straws
4 Lifesavers Candy
1 Piece of Paper
2 Paper Clips
2 Feet of Tape

Build your car using only the materials provided. (You

will not be given extra materials!)
Make a prediction about how far the car will go in the
race.
Test your vehicle by blowing on it to get it moving and
see how far it goes.
Measure the distance your car went. How can you
improve its performance?
Keep testing and refining your car to get ready for the race.
When the timer is up, you will race your car against other engineers. The car that goes the
greatest distance wins!

TEAM NAME:
______________________________________

ENGINEERS:
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________

Created by Donna Soriano

DATA TABLE:

TEAM PREDICTED DISTANCE:

TEAM ACTUAL DISTANCE:

RACE BEST DISTANCE:

RACE AVERAGE DISTANCE:

QUESTIONS:
1.

What is the source of energy that makes the car move?

2.

What energy transformations took place?

3.

Which design features are the most successful on the air-powered cars? Explain why.

4.

How could you improve your design to create a more successful outcome?

Created by Donna Soriano