Our physics students recently learned valuable science concepts in Ms. Jackson’s physics class by creating mousetrap cars. The students competed against each other in three teams of four students. Each group was in charge of designing their own car, which would then be judged in multiple categories.
Cars were judged on design aspects and appearance by VCS Art Teacher Mrs. Staten. The students’ cars also had to be propelled by only the mousetrap, stay within a budget of $30, and the designs and testing data had to be well documented in an engineering notebook.
After the design and testing process, the students put their cars to the test by competing in speed and distance competitions. The project was a great way for the class to learn and put into practice major concepts such as mechanical advantage, friction, levers, and conservation of mechanical energy!
