Arizona STEM
Acceleration Project
Rubber Band Cars: Kinetic and Potential Energy
Creating Rubber Band Powered Vehicles
A 5th grade STEM lesson
Lisa Harris
04/06/2023
Notes for Teachers
List of Materials:
Science Standards:
5.P2U1.3
Construct an explanation using evidence to demonstrate that objects can affect other objects even when they are not touching.
5.P3U1.4
Obtain, analyze, and communicate evidence of the effects that balanced and unbalanced forces have on the motion of objects.
5.P3U2.5
Define problems and design solutions pertaining to force and motion.
5.P4U1.6
Analyze and interpret data to determine how and where energy is transferred when objects move.
Science and Engineering Practices
Science Standards:
3-PS2-1 Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
4-PS3-4 Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.
3-5-ETS1-1 & 3-5-ETS1-2 Define a simple design problem... [and] Generate and compare multiple possible solutions...
3-PS2-3 Ask questions to determine cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact.
Science and Engineering Practices
Objectives:
Today we will explain the differences between kinetic and potential energy.
Today we will explain the meaning of conservation of energy.
Today we will compare and contrast balanced and unbalanced forces.
Today we will collaborate and communicate effectively with our peers to complete an engineering design challenge.
Today students will be able to design and engineer vehicles that are powered by rubber band.
Agenda (60 minutes)
What are the forms of energy?
Law of the Conservation of Energy
Law of the Conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed. Instead, energy is transferred from one form of energy to another.
Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
When the forces acting on an object have equal strength and act in opposite directions, they are balanced.
Unbalanced forces are not equal, and they always cause the motion of an object to change the speed and/or direction that it is moving.
Today you will be constructing a vehicle that moves using rubber band energy.
As you are building and testing your vehicle think about where the potential energy is stored and what causes the kinetic energy.
Decide whether the vehicle uses a balanced or unbalanced force.
Define the Problem
Step 1: Get into groups of 3.
Step 2: Decide who will be:
Group Leader: Makes sure the group is following directions.
Materials Manager: Gathers the materials and puts them away.
Writer: Creates a poster with input from the group, summarizing the findings.
Directions
Step 3:
With your team, sketch a design for your rubber band powered vehicle.
Your vehicle will need:
-a frame
-wheels
-a place to attach the rubber band.
Imagine and Plan
Step 4: Gather your materials….
-Bucket of K'nex parts
-Rubberband
-packet
-writing utensils
Create
Step 4: Use your materials to build a rubber band powered car.
To the right are some examples but you may be creative and design your own!
Test
After building your car:
-Test with different placements of the rubberband
-Test on different surfaces
Discuss with your team:
-Which rubber band placement worked the best and why?
-On which type of surface did your vehicle go the farthest?
What produces the kinetic energy?
Where is the potential energy stored?
Is this a balanced and unbalanced force?
Race against another team’s vehicle. Which can travel the farthest and why?
Improve
Try to see if you can make your car travel at least 6 feet (2 yards).
If your vehicle can’t travel that far, then make adjustments to your design.
Assessment
Differentiation
To differentiate the lesson, students that are struggling with designing their car can go to
the website instructable.com for step by step directions on creating a basic vehicle.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Students can research the world’s record for the fastest and farthest distance traveled rubber band powered vehicle.
They can study the design of these vehicles and compare/contrast it to their own.
If they have time, they can make adjustments to their vehicle.