Mousetrap Race Car

Engineering

Design Challenge

Students learn about Newton's 3 laws and build a mousetrap powered car which they can then race for a chance of victory and glory!

Concepts at a Glance

Curriculum Connections

Machines are devices that transfer force and energy.

Newton’s three laws of motion describe the relationship between force and motion.

Potential and Kinetic energy ( stored energy (gravitational PE = mgh) & (energy of motion (translational KE = 1/2 mv2)

Materials

Per Group:

Mousetrap
2 Axles (Skewer & Straw - refer to lesson plan below.)
4 Wheels -> cardboard, compact cd's, wood, bottle caps
popsicle sticks for frame
string
wooden dowels
scissors
hot glue guns + glue sticks
paperclips
elastic bands

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Activity Instructions

A mousetrap powered car is a vehicle that is powered by the energy of a wound-up mouse trap’s spring. Students will build, design, and race their cars. This activity encapsulates the fundamental physics of motion and kinematics in a fun and exciting way. The students can build everything excluding attaching the mouse trap to the frame, which should be done by the instructor. Note, that we recommend this as a guided (step-by-step) activity for students in grade 4-6.

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Worksheets

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Lesson Plan

Download Lesson Plan