6th Grade Engineering

mint mobile 6th

RESULTS

 

Two photos of four-wheeled cart chassis made from Popsicle sticks, plastic straws, lifesaver mint candies (for wheels), cardboard and tape. One is wide with Popsicle sticks mounted along straw axles; the other is narrow with Popsicle sticks connecting the front and back straw axles.

Summary

Students design, build and test model race cars made from simple materials (lifesaver-shaped candies, plastic drinking straws, index cards, tape) as a way to explore variables. Students also practice the steps of the engineering design process by brainstorming, planning, building, testing, and improving their “mint-mobiles.”  The students will also explore the concepts of potential and kinetic energy involved in the process

Learning Objectives

After this activity, students should be able to:

  • Explain the engineering design process
  • Identify variables
  • Understand potential and kinetic energy

Thanks to www.teachengineering.org for the activity idea!

 

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