Introduction

Our world is in an energy crisis.  All of the power plants have failed and batteries no longer work.  The world has turned to you to find a solution to the transportation problems we now face.  Your job is to create a vehicle that runs solely on the power of a mousetrap.  Can you help?

Task

You will create a car that runs solely off of the energy of a mousetrap.  You will also submit a car design sketch.  Project is in groups of 2-4 people.

Process

1.    Brainstorm (write down) a list of sources where you might find information on friction, momentum, potential energy and kinetic energy.

2.    Check out Doc Fizzix for helpful information

3.    Submit a sketch of your mousetrap car design.

4.    Then, with the knowledge you’ve gathered, construct a mousetrap car with the following guidelines:

-The car runs solely off the energy of the mousetrap.

-No other power sources may be used.

-The wheels on your car must not have originally been wheels.

-The mousetrap must be part of your car.

-You can only use one mousetrap in your design.

-No kits are allowed.  Cars must be original.

-No lubrication may be added to the axels.

5.    You will conduct testing of your mousetrap car using a provided procedure.

6.    Your car will compete in a contest with other mousetrap cars to see which one travels the farthest.

7.    You will also submit an analysis/self evaluation on how well you think you did on this project.  Include:

–What did I do right?

–What did I do wrong?

–What would I change if I could?

–How could I make the project better?

Evaluation

Points will be given for the distance the mousetrap car travels as follows:

–0-1 meter—5 points                                         10 points – creativity

–1 meter—10 points                                          10 points – proper materials

–2 meters—20 points                                        30 points – teamwork

–4 meters—30 points                                        50 points – 20 testing procedure pages

–6 meters—40 points                                        50 points – participation

–9 or more meters—50 points                            50 points – documentation log w/ graphs

–5 points for the farthest travel

Separate grades will also be given for the sketch, the typed presentation with outline, and the self-evaluation.

Design sketch due:  February 2, 2010

Contest date:  March 5, 2010  No late projects will be accepted!

Conclusion

At the end of this project you will become more acquainted with action/reaction, rotational inertia, and potential and kinetic energy.  Let the race begin!!

Examples of successful vehicles found at:  http://senior.billings.k12.mt.us/mouset/fall98/index.htm

Recommended research – www.docfizzix.com

^{The first thing that we did this morning was our morning work. We all started our spelling homework and read. Next, we worked on conversational prompts. After that we had our walk. Once we got in from walk, we did our grammar poem out of our poetry packet. The next thing we had was our specials. After specials we had math groups with Mr. B. Math with Mr. B is always fun because he is really funny. Once we finished we had lunch. Lunch was awesome! We had shrimp poppers and like, everyone gave theirs to me. Well any way, after lunch we had recess and library if it was your day. Next we did simplifying fractions with Mrs. Starbuck. Once that easy stuff was over had to finish our fractions test if we didn’t. Well after that we were supposed to watch a space video but it didn’t work. So, for the rest of the day we did missing assignments or unfinished work.}

                          ^{And that was our Monday!}        

We are in DESPERATE need of male chaperones for science camp.  If you are interested in doing this please contact me ASAP.

Make plans to join us for this FREE community event for all ages! Pre-Register, print and bring your form with you!

First today we did cursive. We were very loud. I don’t think anybody remembered their cursive. Then we talked about different leads for writing. The question lead, talking, snapshot, and the setup. After that we went to walk for fifteen minutes. That’s when we spend outside time with friends The fourth graders that did not go on the field trip came to fifth grade. We had four kids come in. When we came in we did our homework for snapshot lead. Then we read till specials. For specials we went to P.E, choir, band, technology, general music, or orchestra. Then was word study. Depending on your spelling skills you go to different rooms. Like Mr.B, Mrs.Starbuck, Mrs.Errington, or Ms.Stanfel. Next was lunch. At lunch is the time to talk, eat, and have fun with your class. We are usually very loud at lunch. After lunch we go out to recess and waste our energy. We go ‘Aaahhh!’ and play with our equipment.  Before we got to play we had two laps to walk in line because we can’t walk in the hall quietly. After recess we did our class math groups. Today for math groups we worked on fractions. Then we went to hopsports. We did the hop mat video thing this week. It was exciting! We have  hopsports every Friday at the almost end of the day. The last thing of the day is social studies. This week were working on our thirteen colonies project with Mr.’s class. We were each assigned a colony and had to find who ,where ,why , and had to make a podcast. That’s how our day was! Then we went home!

By Lauren

By Taylor

By Aleah

By, Jared

By Garrett

sincerely,

Joshua