Balloon Race Car Force and Friction STEM Lab (PHY05)

Bring Newton's Third Law of Motion, thrust propulsion, rolling vs. sliding friction, axle alignment, and average speed math to life with the Balloon Race Car Force and Friction STEM Lab (PHY05)! Designed for Middle School Physical Science, Physics, Math, and STEM classes, this 3-page, print-ready lab packet challenges students to engineer balloon-powered dragsters and optimize propulsion efficiency.

What Is Included in This 3-Page Packet?

• 📋 Page 1: Teacher Guide & Lesson Plan

  Features NGSS alignment (MS-PS2-1 Collision & Action-Reaction Forces, MS-PS2-2 Forces & Motion, MS-ETS1-2 Engineering Design), key propulsion concepts, floor track setup directions, safety guidelines, and a full teacher answer key.

• 🏎️ Page 2: Student Mission Card & Blueprint

  Hooks students with an automotive engineering challenge to design zero-emission drag strip vehicles. Includes material constraints (balloon, straws, wooden skewers, plastic bottle caps, cardboard/plastic chassis, tape, meter stick, timer) and a dedicated schematic sketching zone to diagram nozzle thrust vectors, wheel alignment, and axle friction points.

• 📊 Page 3: Testing Log & Scientific Reflection

  Features a structured lab data table tracking distance traveled in centimeters, run time in seconds, calculated average speed in cm/s, and vehicle drift/alignment observations. Includes an applied math section to calculate Average Speed in both centimeters per second (cm/s) and meters per second (m/s), followed by reflection questions analyzing Newton's Third Law, nozzle size air pressure differentials, and rolling friction reduction.

Educational Value & Key Benefits:

• Hands-On Newton's Laws Physics: Connects balloon air exhaust action forces directly to forward car acceleration reaction forces.

• Integrates Applied Math & Speed Calculations: Teaches students how to divide distance by time and convert metric units from cm/s to m/s.

• Low-Cost High-Engagement STEM: Uses inexpensive items like balloons, straws, skewers, bottle caps, and cardboard for an unforgettable drag race competition across Grades 6–8.