Challenge 008 · Ages 9–14
Rubber Band Car
Design and build a car powered by elastic energy.
Recommended Guided Learning Time: 3 hours
Learners may require additional or fewer hours depending on age, prior experience, pace and the level of development they choose to take their project to.
Primary STEAM area
Engineering
The Challenge
What will your learner investigate?
Can you design a rubber-band-powered car that travels as far as possible?
Learning outcomes
- Explain stored elastic energy and energy transfer.
- Build a working wheel-and-axle system.
- Measure performance and optimise the vehicle through testing.
Connected learning
Science: energy, friction and forces; Mathematics: distance and wheel dimensions; Design & Technology: mechanisms; English: evaluation.
Dream Areas
Prepare for this Challenge
What you'll need
Here's what may be useful for completing this activity. Requirements may vary depending on the learner, activity format and equipment available.
Materials & consumables
- Rubber bands
- bottle caps or wheels
- cardboard
- axles
- straws
- tape.
Equipment, tools & software
- Ruler
- scissors
- stopwatch
- a hand-held hole punch suitable for cardboard, used with adult help.
Safety & preparation
- Avoid overstretching rubber bands
- adult assists with axle holes.
These preparation notes support planning and do not replace a project-specific risk assessment or appropriate adult supervision.