The Rocket Car is an IDL project which links our outside partner NXP with Maths, Science & Technology to create a Car of the Future based on “Rocket Power”.
Throughout the project pupils take part in the following:
- In Science pupils learn about forces, friction and fuels. Pupils will use the knowledge gained here to help design their rocket car.
- Pupils will take part in hands on workshops which investigate the importance of friction and body shape, pupils will use the knowledge gained here to ensure that their rocket car can travel along the ground at high speed.
- Pupils are involved in testing various types of fuels to evaluate which ones are the most efficient at providing energy.
- Discovered parabolas within games using ‘Angry Birds’.
- Explored parabolas in real life using Nerf guns whilst trying to hit a target.
- Used ball bearing projectile launcher to discover parabolas have different flight paths depending on the launch angle
- Videoed the ball bearing projectile launcher and then used ‘Tracker’ software to find the Quadratic equation of the parabola.
- Plot parabolas on graph paper using its line of symmetry.
- Pupils Design the shape of the car body building on knowledge from science and Maths.
- Pupils will use 3D modelling to design the body shape of the car.
- Pupils will create a frame from wood and vacuum form the body shape from plastic.
- Pupils will also create a team logo and poster to promote their car.
At the end of the project pupils come together to present their finalised power point presentations as well as racing their rocket cars.