Written by Nikki Gutierrez, Upper School Science Teacher
Grade 6 has been studying motion and forces in our physics unit in science class, collaborating with concepts in our design class. As part of the unit, we learned about measuring velocity and how physics is used in examining car crashes and then in designing safety features for cars. We included ideas about the design cycle, and students engineered a cardboard car built out of cardboard, white school glue and a wooden dowel.
The students have been working on this project in their design classes as well. They built 3D models using TinkerCad and have been starting to print their models using the 3D printers in their design class. Students raced their cars down the ramp near the circle on campus.
They used their math and science skills to calculate the velocity of their cars. We focused on team-building strategies also since this project was done in small teams. These classes are part of Scheck Hillel’s schoolwide Design/STEM curriculum.