Running A Car
45 Minute Lesson
NJ Standards
5.2.12.E.2 – Objects undergo different kinds of motion (translational, rotational, and vibrational).
5.1.12.D.2 – Science involves using language, both oral and written, as a tool for making thinking public.
5.1.12.D.1 – Science involves practicing productive social interactions with peers, such as partner talk, whole-group discussions, and small group
work.
NJ Standard
5.2.12.E.2
5.2.2.E.2
Goal
Students will be able to design a vehicle that uses rotating wheels for
translational motion.
5.1.12.D.1
5.1.12.D.2
Students will be able to discuss engineering design principles that relate to the
construction of solar powered vehicles.
Resources
Student Use: Pitsco Pre-Packaged Solar Car Construction Kit
Pre-Requisite Knowledge

Translational and Rotational Kinematics

P & N Junctions
Evidence
Students will be able to construct a solar car
where energy is provided to a spinner that
will enable the wheels to rotate. Subsequently
the rotating wheels will move in a linear
motion.
Students will be able to communicate the
benefits and disadvantages of prepackaged
construction kits.
Real World Applications

Energy Sources – Renewable Energy Sources
Students can learn about renewable energy sources and how they may be connected to convert into useful kinds of energy, particularly
electrical energy. Understanding circuits may aid in understanding how light from the Sun may be converted into electrical energy in a
solar cell.

Vehicular Construction
Pitsco kits are pre-prepared to construct a basic vehicle that will operate with a power source. Students can see the most basic principles
that go into building a vehicle and expand further to arrive at more modern designs.
Potential Difficulties

Students may rely too much on construction kits and not be able to reason as to why there are certain components put together in order
to create the vehicle.

Students may have a hard time wiring the solar cell to the spinner.
Lesson Description
A. Opening (5 minutes)
Have a brief discussion on the current world affairs of energy. How much energy does it take to operate all the cars in the United States of
America? Students may be surprised to hear some surprising statistics about fossil fuels that make up primary energy costs today.
Wouldn't it be great if there were alternatives to fossil fuels? What are some alternatives?
[Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Nuclear]
Today, continuing in our study of motion we will construct solar powered vehicles.
B. Building a Solar Powered Vehicle (15 minutes)
Students will be given a Pitsco Solar Car Construction Kit to construct their solar powered vehicles. They will construct their cars indoors
before going to test them outdoors in sun (weather withstanding).
C. Solar Powered Discussion (15 minutes)
Are there any things you can do differently to improve your car using only the package. Have students in groups discuss the drawbacks of
pre-packaged construction kits. What are some benefits?
Have groups discuss solar energy, what are benefits and disadvantages of solar energy? How can it be harnessed. What kind of
engineering principles can be used to design solar powered devices?
[Many students may think of electrical or mechanical, though chemical and other disciplines may be considered]
Where do students see solar power being used right now and is it a feasible substitute for fossil fuel?
D. Reflection (10 minutes)
Students reflect on why there is a need for alternative renewable energy sources and how they can apply it to current energy using
devices and processes.
Time Table
Activity
A – Opening
B – Building a Solar Powered Vehicle
C – Solar Powered Discussion
D – Reflection
Time Duration (Clock)
5 minutes
(0:05)
15 minutes
(0:20)
15 minutes
(0:35)
10 minutes
(0:45)
Students doing
Discussion
Building and testing
Discussion
Class discussion
Teacher doing
Discussion
Presenting materials
Discussion
Discussion
Formative Assessment
How will you connect the solar cell to the spinner such that it will
operate?
Students will need to know how to connect circuits in order to connect
the solar cell and the spinner to form an electric circuit.
How can you get all four wheels to spin with only one spinner?
Basic car design may come into question here. Students without
instructions may have difficulty getting all four wheels to spin. If they
use one gear to spin one wheel connected to another in an axle they will
gain insight into how these model cars can work.
What are benefits and drawbacks of solar energy?
Solar energy is extremely abundant but is not fully efficient (no where
near it, in fact), can greatly depend on area and time due to needing
concentrated sunlight. Also, there is a high upstart cost to being able to
generate low amounts of energy. That is why it is such a widely studied
renewable energy source right now.
Homework
Purpose
Have students identify and bring in If
possible, a solar powered device. Discuss if
this device has its energy needs met
practically with solar power or if it
supplements it. Students will have a
discussion in regards to solar powered
devices in our community and how far we
have come from relying on fossil fuels.
This assignment is for students to become
more aware of their surroundings,
particularly in the way of energy reformed
devices. Furthermore students may
identify with the current energy crisis and
with ways to reduce energy.