Turn your students into automotive design engineers! The challenge: design a model car powered by solar cells and an electric motor. Weight, gear ratios, sun angle, aerodynamics, traction, friction, front- or rear-wheel drive, and wheelbase are all design factors that are considered. Finally, students race their cars to determine the most successful design. This activity is designed for a class of 32 students working cooperatively in 8 groups of 4. FREE 1-year access to digital resources that support NGSS instruction included.
Turn your students into automotive design engineers! The challenge: design a model car powered by solar cells and an electric motor. Weight, gear ratios, sun angle, aerodynamics, traction, friction, front- or rear-wheel drive, and wheelbase are all design factors that are considered. Finally, students race their cars to determine the most successful design. This activity is designed for a class of 32 students working cooperatively in 8 groups of 4. FREE 1-year access to digital resources that support NGSS instruction included.
Shipping & Handling
Shipped In
Ambient
Safety & Storage
Storage Temperature
See product insert and individual kit component labels for more information.
Safety Statement
For Educational & Research Use Only (RUO). Not for diagnostic purposes.
Regulatory & Compliance
Specifications
CLASS
Environmental Science
*USAGE / SAFETY STATEMENT
For Educational & Research Use Only (RUO). Not for diagnostic purposes.
KIT COMPONENTS
8 DC Motor, 1.5 to 3 V 8 Solar Cell, 1 V with Leads 8 Cardboard Pad 16 Straw 8 Wheel, Gear, and Axle Pack 1 Teachers Manual with Reproducible Student Guide,Document Camera or Overhead Projector 1 Multimeter 2 Wire with Alligator Clip 8 Ruler 8 Scissors 8 Tape Dispenser with Transparent Tape 8 Protractor 1 Flashlight 1 Wire Stripper (or sharp knife) 2 Hammer 2 Pliers 8 Timing Device (accurate to 0.1 sec) Construction Paper (optional for design activity) Glue (optional for design activity) Velcro (optional for design activity) Velcro (optional for design activity) Paper Clip (optional for design activity) Hobby Knife (optional for design activity) Incandescent Desk Lamp (optional for design activity) Thin Cardboard, Poster Board, or File Folder (optional for design activity)
Questions & Answers (0)
Reviews & Ratings (6)
2.9 out of 5 stars
5
33%
4
0%
3
17%
2
33%
1
17%
The product descriptions do not make it clear the limits of this kit. Instructions for the prototype are not well written or clear. The solar panels do not produce...
Veda
GREENVILLE, SC
The solar car project gave our students another reason to be excited about learning. The friendly competition that was generated pushed the students to go a step...
Luke
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA
The kit and instructions were great. Simple and easy to do for me and the kids. Needs to include a clarification about how to orient the cardboard so the axles...
Fernanda
PORTAGE WI
The cars run well is bright sunlight. Due to weather challenges it was stressful to complete these cars during winter months. If your pacing guide allows, these...
Jazmine
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA
As a teacher for Odyssey Charter School , Im very pleased and my students too. I would really would have prefer on having an extra package of spare parts. But everything...
Annalise
PALM BAY, FL, USA
It does need to be mentioned that continuous exposure to direct sunlight is needed (apparently) to actually use these solar panels and they arent something that...
Cullen
CENTRAL WASHINGTON STATE
The product descriptions do not make it clear the limits of this kit. Instructions for the prototype are not well written or clear. The solar panels do not produce...
Veda
GREENVILLE, SC
The solar car project gave our students another reason to be excited about learning. The friendly competition that was generated pushed the students to go a step...
Luke
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA
The kit and instructions were great. Simple and easy to do for me and the kids. Needs to include a clarification about how to orient the cardboard so the axles...
Fernanda
PORTAGE WI
The cars run well is bright sunlight. Due to weather challenges it was stressful to complete these cars during winter months. If your pacing guide allows, these...
Jazmine
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA
As a teacher for Odyssey Charter School , Im very pleased and my students too. I would really would have prefer on having an extra package of spare parts. But everything...
Annalise
PALM BAY, FL, USA
It does need to be mentioned that continuous exposure to direct sunlight is needed (apparently) to actually use these solar panels and they arent something that...
Cullen
CENTRAL WASHINGTON STATE
Needs improvement, clarify in product descript.
Veda C.
GREENVILLE, SC
The product descriptions do not make it clear the limits of this kit. Instructions for the prototype are not well written or clear. The solar panels do not produce enough current to move the car at all using 60w light bulb as they claim. Conducting the project indoors is not viable or worth it. Also, low sun angles during winter or cloudy weather make it difficult to implement on many days of the year.
Great learning tool.
Luke S.
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA
The solar car project gave our students another reason to be excited about learning. The friendly competition that was generated pushed the students to go a step farther with their research. We followed both competition and kit guidelines which had the students going farther than required for the competition but the challenge of keeping the car straight for the longer distance generated many learning opportunities. Hope to do it again next year!
Did not work
Fernanda S.
PORTAGE WI
The kit and instructions were great. Simple and easy to do for me and the kids. Needs to include a clarification about how to orient the cardboard so the axles slide through easily. Also, the solar panels did not run the motors. I tested them with a voltmeter and with two of them it generated enough power but they did not run. Had to buy a work light to even get them to move a little.
Citations (0)
Shipping & Handling
Shipped In
Ambient
Safety & Storage
Storage Temperature
See product insert and individual kit component labels for more information.
Safety Statement
For Educational & Research Use Only (RUO). Not for diagnostic purposes.
Regulatory & Compliance
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We’re currently in BETA - Interested in joining? Let us know and we’ll get you set up with early access.