Deluxe Build Your Own Racer Kit

With this fun "build your own" race car experiment kit, make & experiment with cars powered by mouse traps, balloons, rubber bands, and solar power! Your kids will naturally learn about physics, mechanics, and problem solving as they design, build, and perfect a car using each of these four propulsion methods:

• The balloon-powered and rubber band-powered race cars are the simplest to build and will get your kids started thinking about the mechanics of wheels, axles and friction as well as how to best use forces to transfer power to the car wheels.
• The mousetrap racer is more sophisticated, using a spring and lever arm to rotate the wheels and axle.
• The solar race car then raises the level of challenge, providing the opportunity to experiment with both a gear drive and pulley drive system powered by either a solar cell or a battery.

This complete kit includes design ideas and construction tips for building and experimenting with all four propulsion systems. You provide two AA batteries (optional), sharp knife or scissors, wire cutter, glue, tape, and decoration if desired. Experiment with different voltage outputs with additional solar cells.

Deluxe Build Your Own Racer Kit

• 4 balsa wood sheets (3" x 12")
• 0.5 volt solar cell
• electric motor
• AA battery holder (batteries not included)
• gear set
• pulley set
• mouse trap
• lever arm
• two CD wheels with inserts
• 14 small plastic wheels
• dowels for axles
• straws for axle bearings & jet nozzle
• fishing line
• balloons
• rubber bands
• metal eye screws
• project guide