Propeller driven car project
In this project students design, make and test a propeller driven model car. All testing is done using the PowerAnchor which doubles as the power source and central point which the cars travel around. The propeller is connected directly to the motor which is powered by the PowerAnchor (some soldering is required). The car itself is made either by vacuum forming over shaped blue modelling (alternatively, the blue modelling foam itself can be used as the chassis). Axles and wheels are added and then the testing and fun begins.
View Gallery for Helicar Project
A full range of design activities are included in the student notes and the teacher’s notes help to guide through the delivery of the project. These include:
The project pack also includes a 20 minute classroom DVD on some of the background of the project and the processes involved in making a Helicar.
Content covered in the project:
Our aim is to support teachers with all the resources needed to successfully run this unit of work in their classrooms. We provide all the materials and the less common equipment as well as teaching notes and student sheets.
Helicar is ideally run with a vacuum former and schools with CAD/CAM capability will be able to extend the project in ways that bring rigour to the design process. Schools without this equipment can also run the Helicar project by hand forming the modelling foam and using this as the chassis.
