Build a motor driven car with speed control in order to gain a practical understanding of the speed equation, v = d/t. Students utilize tables, graphs, equations and words to explain the relationship between their real-world measurements and data to the position of a potentiometer and the speed of their motion car.
Grade Level: 7-9
Prep Time: 60-90 minutes
Lesson Time: 150-200 minutes
This lesson was produced under the Berkeley ADEPT Program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation
Introductory Materials:
Introductory overhead
Design choice overhead
Assessment Materials:
Assessment Test
Building Instructions and Materials:
Motor Building Instructions (Photo version)
Motor Building Instructions (Diagram version)
Student Building Instructions
Car Body Template
Wheel Template
Potentiometer Label Template
Student Worksheets:
Design worksheet
Results worksheet