Title

Puff mobile derby student engineers

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2015

Publication Title

Science Scope

Volume

39

Abstract

In this article, we feature the construction and de-sign of Puff Mobiles by sixth graders at Tom Browne Middle School, a small urban school with 900 students in South Texas. The Puff Mobile is a car or vehicle creatively designed and engineered by students and moves by the force of wind energy. Putting the Puff Mobile in motion demonstrates that wind energy can be used to perform work. Work is done whenever a force is used to move something. The wind energy in this activity comes from students blowing or puffing on the cars. Working in groups, students become engineers and use their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills when presented with the challenge of creating a car that will move as far as possible in a linear direction, but within certain limits and constraints. As students test and modify their Puff Mobiles, they make new predictions about what design changes will work and help them achieve their goal.

Issue

4

First Page

64

Last Page

71

ISSN

19434901

Comments

Jeffery, T. D., McCollough, C. A., & Moore, K. (2015). Puff mobile derby student engineers. Science Scope, 39(4), 64-71.

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