Lesson - Mousetrap Cars

Harness the power of physics and ignite your students' creativity with the Mousetrap Cars: Engineering With Energy Transfer lesson plan!
 
This hands-on project is perfect for gifted and talented students in grades 2-6, challenging them to design, build, and test a car propelled solely by the energy from a mousetrap spring.
 
Students will dive into key physics concepts like potential and kinetic energy and apply them using a seven-step engineering design process. Working in teams, they will move from research and design to building a prototype, testing, and making improvements.
 
The project culminates in a thrilling race day, where teams compete to see whose car can travel the farthest while staying within a designated lane. This comprehensive lesson fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and resilience, encouraging students to learn from mistakes and overcome challenges in a fun and competitive environment.