Welcome
To
Dover International Speedway
Driving SCIENCE
Copyright © 2013 Clemson University All rights reserved.
Sustainability
STEM FACT
NASCAR has the largest recycling and environmental
sustainability program among all U.S. sports. NASCAR
has the world’s largest solar-powered sports facility, a
tree planting program capturing 100% of the emissions
produced by on-track racing, and the largest recycling
program in sports.
http://green.nascar.com/
LAB-AIDS
Chemical Battery Challenge
 This activity is a guided inquiry provided to us by
LAB-AIDS.
 Pairs will work together.
 Please fill out the LAB-AIDS blue registration form
and turn it in at the end of the activity.
LAB-AIDS
Chemical Battery Challenge
 Read the introductory information on pg. D-64.
 Follow the procedure Part A: Testing the Motor pg.
D-65 to D-66.
Your Challenge Today:
What combination of metals and distance between
electrodes makes the best battery for powering the
motor (as measured by speed of the spinning motor).
DuPont STEM CUP Challenge
The STEM Cup Challenge is a
hands-on activity that
models STEM best practices,
examines the science and
math of racing, and provides
experiences in the design
elements of technology and
engineering.
Race Challenge
CHALLENGE: Figure out how your vehicles run and
how best to drive them in a race.
You will be assigned a concept to explain to the whole
group based on your vehicles.
Present your concept as it relates to your vehicles.
Race Challenge/Introductions
Aerodynamics
Momentum
Inertia
Friction
Potential and Kinetic Energy
Newton’s First Law of Motion
Newton’s Second Law of Motion
Newton’s Third Law of Motion
Velocity
Speed
Gravity
Acceleration
Building and Testing the Prototype
Build a mousetrap car. You must use the provided
parts for your prototype.
Collect data about the prototype and enter the data in
your notebook.
Make sure each team member practices running the
car on a 100 cm track.
Energy
Energy at the Racetrack
What can be said about energy and racecars?
What can be said about energy and the mousetrap car?
STEM Cup Challenge: Fastest Car
Question to investigate:
What design elements will make your mousetrappowered car the fastest?
Review the information about speed and mousetrap
cars in your notebooks.
Review the constraints.
Plan, build, and collect data about your car.
Document your work in your engineering notebook.
Practice and Performance Testing
NASCAR Announcement: The track for the STEM Cup
Challenge will be 3.5 meters in length
 Design a faster car by modifying your prototype.
 Test your car on the 100cm track.
 Complete the data collection for your car in the
notebook.
Does your car go the distance?
Is your car faster than the prototype?
Does you car go straight?
Do you still need to make revisions in your plan?
Inspection Station
The vehicle must pass the inspection:
 fit entirely within the box (length & width of vehicle)
 mass between 120 grams and 180 grams
 bring completed notebooks to the inspection station
DuPont STEM CUP
Challenge
Which team will win
the race?
Reflection
Be prepared to share a connection between
motorsports and STEM disciplines.
Please complete the feedback form.
STEM Fact
With a 100th of a second meaning the difference
between winning and coming in second, the pressure
on the pit crew is intense. Members must be in top
physical condition and focused on their specific job.
Many crew members are former college or professional
athletes.
Driving SCIENCE
Thanks for Participating