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How to Build a Rubberband Car

Learning the difference between potential and kinetic energy is an essential concept for any young science scholar to grasp. Despite its importance, many teachers have difficulty demonstrating these forms of energy in a clear, interesting way. Don't bore your class with a run-of-the-mill bouncing ball demonstration. Instead, spark your students' imaginations with a rubber band powered car made from household objects.

Things You'll Need

~-size rubber band
5-inch by 7-inch piece of foam core board
1 oz poster putty
4 empty thread spools of equal size
Medium-size binder clip
2 bamboo skewers
Duct tape
Craft knife

Instructions

- 1
  Use a craft knife to cut a 2-inch by 2-inch notch from the center of one of the shorter edges of a 5-inch by 7-inch piece of foam core board.
- 2
  Construct your car's rear axle by inserting one bamboo skewer through the foam portion of the foam core board ¾-inch from the notched edge. Insert the other skewer ¾-inch from the opposite edge for the front axle. Make sure that the skewers turn freely in the board.
- 3
  Create wheels for your car by filling the center holes of four equally-sized empty thread spools with poster putty.
- 4
  Mount two wheels on each axle by inserting a protruding skewer end into the putty filled center hole of a spool. Make sure that the wheels are evenly spaced and do not touch the foam core board.
- 5
  Use a medium-size binder clip to attach a~rubber band to the front edge of your car. Place the clip in the center of the board.
- 6
  Stretch the rubber band across the underside of the car until it touches the rear axle. Secure the band to the center of the rear axle with duct tape.
- 7
  On a smooth, flat surface, pull your car back until the rubber band wraps around the rear axle no less than three times. This creates potential or stored energy in the rubber band. Let go of the car to convert this potential energy to the kinetic energy that will move the car forward.

Educational Toys