Mousetrap Racers!!!

Design Brief:  To design, develop and race a mousetrap car.

My project should…  Use ONE mousetrap as a source of energy and be unaltered.  Be developed from a unique design.  Be created individually.  Be created in a safe manor  Be completed in the allotted time.  Have the mechanics name clearly displayed.  Consist of at least three (3) colors  Have at least 8 thumbnail sketches, 3 rough sketches and 1 final drawing with dimensions.

Investigate and Research! You will be expected to research mousetrap cars. Look at different designs and how you think you may be able to make your car more efficient (further, faster or both). You need to provide at least 2 sources from the internet along with a brief (1/2 page) summary.

Final Result There will be two race categories you may choose from:  Furthest distance  Fastest

Theory:  The spring of the mouse trap holds potential energy when trap is engaged. When the trap is disengaged, or the spring is let go, the energy is transferred from potential energy to kinetic.

Parts of a Mousetrap:

Resources:  Tunstall Middle School’s Website:  Louisiana Technology Student Association:  Arch Bishop High School: nce/0607/050407/index.html nce/0607/050407/index.html nce/0607/050407/index.html  Bill Smith’s Unofficial Round Table: er.html er.html er.html