Carolina STEM Challenge : Solar Car Design Kit

Turn your students into automotive design engineers! The challenge: design a scale model car that uses a solar cell to power an electric motor car. Weight, gear ratios, sun angle, aerodynamics, traction, friction, front- or rear-wheel drive, and wheelbase are all design factors that are considered. Finally, students race their cars to determine the most successful design. This activity is designed for a class of 32 students working cooperatively in 8 groups of 4. Materials include: DC motors (1.5 to 3 V); solar cells (1 V with leads); wheels, gears, and axles; cardboard pads; straws; and teacher's manual with reproducible student guide.