Mousetrap Race Cars
Objective
Each person is to produce one vehicle powered by a mouse trap. The vehicle should be built to travel the greatest possible distance. Additionally, students will complete a written portion. More is mentioned below in Evaluation.
Regulations
- A mousetrap spring is to provide the sole source of power for the vehicle. NO other stored energy supplies may be used.
- The trap used to power the vehicle must be sold commercially as a mousetrap. Mr. P reserves the right to disqualify your mousetrap if it is significantly different from the "common" mousetrap.
- The mousetrap spring and the portion of the trap board to which the spring is attached may not be altered in any way. The trap restraining arm and other portions of the board may be modified. In no case should the spring move through an angle more than 180 degrees.
- The mousetrap must be contained in the vehicle and must propel the vehicle by means of a wheel or wheels in contact with the ground. A launcher or device that pushes the vehicle from a stationary object is prohibited.
- One wheel of the vehicle must remain in contact with the ground at all times.
- The vehicle must be started from a standstill by releasing the mousetrap spring in a manner that imparts no additional energy to the vehicle; i.e., the vehicle may not be given a push start.
- No purchased kits will be accepted, nor may manufactured wheels be used.
Resources
Mousetrap Race Car Design - Some very good ideas.
Mousetrap Race Car Ideas - Some Good Ideas.
Adam's Mousetrap Car - Some kid from Bath, Michigan did a nice job here. Great hints.
Mousetrap Cars - Good Ideas.
Doc Fizzix - A commercial website to buy kits. Still, it has some good pointers.
Mousetrap Mania - This site goes into great detail, but its a little complicated.
Pics of Mousetrap Race Cars 1 - Some Good Ideas, but images only.
Pics of Mousetrap Race Cars 2 - More Good Ideas, but images only.
Evaluation
The Car
- 20 points will be awarded to each person that shows up with a viable vehicle.
- An additional 20 points will be awarded to each vehicle completing a 5 meter distance.
- 5 more points will be awarded for every additional, and entire, meter traveled.
- Each vehicle will be allowed to complete two runs. The vehicle’s best distance will then be used to determine its score.
The Write-Up
Students will maintain a journal showing that they have tested their car, and considered how to improve their results. There must be at least 5 entries which discuss the test, the result, and thoughts for improvements.
There should be a section which identifies what the designer feels are the 5 most important points in constructing a mousetrap race car.