Balloon-Powered Race Car Project

Joe Slifka, a teacher at Liberty High School, introduces a balloon-powered race car project designed to teach students about Newton's Laws and related formulas. Students must adhere to specific design rules, including using a single 12-inch balloon and spending no more than $5. The project encourages creativity and resourcefulness, with competitions for the lightest, fastest, and furthest-traveling cars. The winning design is awarded the Sliff Cup trophy.

What educational concepts were integrated into the balloon-powered race car project?

• Newton's Laws and literacy

• Chemistry and mathematics

• Biology and history

• Geography and art

What was the primary power source for the race cars in the project?

• A rubber band

• Solar panels

• A 12-inch balloon

• A small motor

What was the maximum budget allowed for building the race car?

• $10

• $15

• $5

• $20

How many wheels were required for the race car design?

• No wheels required

• Exactly four

• At least three

• At least two

What was the definition of a wheel in the project?

• Anything that is round and goes round

• Only toy car wheels

• Any circular object

• Only bicycle wheels

What was a key restriction on the materials used for the race car?

• They must be everyday items from home

• They must be made of metal

• They must be recyclable

• They must be purchased from a specific store

What was the minimum distance the race car had to travel?

• Two meters

• One meter

• Five meters

• Ten meters

What was the name of the trophy awarded for the furthest distance traveled?

• The Race Car Award

• The Sliff Cup

• The Distance Trophy

• The Speed Cup

Which design won the Sliff Cup trophy this year?

• The Speedster

• The Lightning Bolt

• The Thunderbolt

• The Racer

What was one of the competition categories for the race cars?

• Most colorful car

• Most expensive car

• Lightest car

• Most complex design