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STEM

U s i n g t h e E n g i n e e r i n g D e s i g n P r o c e s s

Balloon Car

Challenge

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U s i n g t h e E n g i n e e r i n g D e s i g n P r o c e s s

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STEM Challenge Overview

STEM challenges are an amazing way to keep students engaged in learning. They incorporate math andscience concepts with creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. As a student-driven project, asuccessful design challenge requires a flexible time frame and relaxed environment to promotecreativity and innovation.

In this packet, students are provided with a Challenge Sheet and Student Handouts that guide themthrough the engineering design process. The challenge, along with relevant math and scienceconcepts, may be reviewed in class, and completed at home or as a student driven in-class project.then students are tasked with completing the challenge and recording results. All challenge materialsare easily found around the home or you can provide a take-home pack if assigned as a take-homeproject. If completed outside the classroom, encourage the students to report back and share theirfinal designs with the class.

Included in this product:

• Engineering Design Process overview• STEM Challenge Student Handout

o Challenge with materials list and engineering design constraintso Design Considerationso Math Connection o STEM Career Connection

For a set of six challenges, including this one along with additional resources and a letter to parents, see our STEM Challenge Bundle here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/STEM-Challenges-Bundle-Take-HomeIn-Class-STEM-Projects-2281802

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Balloon Car ChallengeBuild a balloon-powered car that will travel 5 feet.

Engineering Design Constraints

1. The car must be propelled forward by the air escaping the balloon.

2. The car must be sturdy and not fall apart when in use.

3. The car must travel at least five feet.

4. The car must travel in approximately a straight line.

Materials Suggested

Power: Latex balloons

Car body: Plastic bottle, plastic cup, cardboard

Wheels: CDs, bottle caps, empty rolls of tape

Axles: Wooden pencils, skewers

Other materials: plastic straws, glue, tape, paper clips, scissors, rubber bands

STEM Career Connection: Industrial Engineer

Industrial engineers determine the most effective way to use people, machines,materials, information, and energy to make a product or service.

Cool Project: Industrial engineers helped design the Walt Disney World themeparks to maximize enjoyment for visitors including easy access to rides, food,and entertainment. 52 million people visit the park each year!

Have you ever blown up a balloon and let it go? The airrapidly escapes the balloon making it fly away. Your challengeis to harness this energy to propel a car forward!The balloon-powered car has three main parts: the body, thewheels, and the axles. The axles connect the wheels to thebody and allow them to spin. Think about what materials youwill use for each part and how they will connect together.

Math Connection

Let’s calculate the average speed of your balloon car. The equation for this is:

𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

Measure the total distance traveled in inches and divide by the total time in seconds.

What is your average speed? ________________ inches per second

Convert to feet per second: _________________ feet per second

Design Considerations

Learn more: Download the TinkerBox app to play a fun physics and engineering puzzle game!

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Engineering Design Process

Identify the problemAfter reading the Challenge Sheet, describe the goal of the challenge in your own words. Include any important design considerations.

Review the materials list. The engineeringdesign constraints may require specificmaterials to be used for the design.

Gather materials and list them in the boxto the right. Think about how you can useeach material to solve the challenge.

Design

Name: _______________________________________ Due Date: _____________

Materials For My Design:

Time to bring your design to life! Using your design sketch as a starting point, build your solution. Keep in mind that materials may not work as you predicted. Engineers often have to make several modifications to their original design before they are successful.

How will you solve the challenge? Sketch at least one design idea, and label the parts of the design and materials used. Use additional paper for more space if needed.

Brainstorm

Build

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Trial Results of TestChallenge

complete?Ideas for Improvement

1 Yes / No

2 Yes / No

3 Yes / No

Continue more trials on another sheet. How many trials were needed for a successful result? ______

Test & Evaluate Test your design and record results below. Circle if the challenge was a success. Remember that failure is an important part of the engineering process! After each trial, review the results and make changes to improve your design.

Reflect & Share

Answer the following questions. Then share design results with your family/class!

1. What challenges did you face during the design process?

2. How does this challenge relate to the STEM Career Connection?

Solution Sketch your final design and label materials used.

Engineering Design Process