Balloon Car Challenge

During this activity students will use critical thinking, data analysis, synthesis of ideas, model development, and observations to complete the investigation.
Key concepts learned from this investigation:
How are instantaneous speed and average speed different?
How can you find the speed from a distance-time graph?
How are speed and velocity different?
Vocabulary words reviewed in this investigation:
Speed
Average speed
Velocity

This activity is done at the 9-12 level in a class of 25-30 students, but would be easily adapted to fit any level of instruction or ability. When I do this activity I give approximately a week to design, build, and test their vehicle with another day and block period for data analysis. This activity is done after talking about speed and velocity, but could also be done after Newton's Laws.

I introduce this investigation after talking about velocity and speed, I also call it a challenge. The resources you will need to do this activity are as follows: enough balloons (you determine the size you want to use; I use 12inch) to give each group (2-4 students) two balloons. The other materials used to build the vehicles are things the students bring in. I do have a box of bottle tops, just in case a group is having issues designing wheels. Students will collaborate in groups to design and test their balloon car. The complete activity can be found at .

The length of the "race track" can be adjusted according to the class. High performance classes might have to go 10 meters instead of the usual 5 as an example.

Points are given for distance traveled, lab writeup, and collaborative efforts of group members.

9.1.2.1.1 Changing engineering designs
9.1.2.2.1 Identify problems and solutions
9.1.3.4.3 Appropriate communication of results