SMSA MOUSETRAP CAR COMPETITION RULES
Mission:
Build a vehicle powered solely by the energy of one ore two standard-sized
mousetrap that will compete in a three different trials.
Your group was given two mousetraps, you are more than welcome to use other
materials as long as you comply with the basic regulations stated below
Competition Rules:
1) Only “Victor” brand mousetrap must power the vehicle.
2) The mousetrap spring cannot be physically altered.
3) No additional energy sources may be used. (Examples: CO2 cartridges,
batteries, elastic bands, etc.)
4) No mousetrap car kits allowed.
5) Vehicles must be self-starting. Vehicles may not receive a push in the
forward or side direction.
6) The vehicle must steer itself. Measurements of distance will not measure
the total distance traveled only the displacement distance.
7) Distance will be measured from the tape at the starting line to the point of
the vehicle that was closest to the start line at the time of release.
8) All cars must complete the minimum requirement for each trial.
Distance trial: 20 cm
Speed trail: complete the 1.00 m path within 60 seconds.
Ramp Climb: Climb 1.00 m elevated to the minimum angle.
Mousetrap Car Assessment
Each student will complete the written portion of the mousetrap car project.
Although there might be some similarities with their partner’s work, it is
expected that each student will turn in original work.
The following assessment criteria for the mousetrap car is:
1) Event Qualifying:60%
-Distance Race: must complete a 20.0 cm run (20%)
-Speed Race: must complete a 1.00 m run in less than 60.0 seconds (20%)
-Ramp Climb: must complete a 1.00 m run at the minimum angle (20%)
2)Event Placement 5%-35%
You will receive additional points depending on how your car places for
each event.
3)Final Report 20%
Mousetrap Cars Lab Report
Follow this format to write your own report about the mouse trap car that you just completed. Each section
should be included for each of the three races. Leave enough pages to complete all three parts together.
I.
Problem Statement: Students will write a concise statement reflecting the goal of the project.
II.
Method:
a. Materials List: Students will list all of the materials that they used in the design and
construction of the mouse trap car. Any tools used should be listed as well
b. Diagram: Drawings or photos should be included in this section. Drawing should be to scale
and labeled. Students will describe the design and construction of the mouse trap car.
III.
Performance Results: Students will document and report the performance of their final project.
This would include you results for each trial as well as placement.
IV.
Conclusion/Suggestions: This section should be a discussion of what worked well for the class
as a whole and what worked well and did not work well for your own vehicle. You should
include improvements you would try to incorporate if the project were to be repeated. If you were
able to design and build a new mouse trap car, what would you do differently? Talk about wheel
size and design, mouse trap placement, length of lever arm, length of string, and finally, the shape,
design, and size of your vehicle.