ABSTRACT
Over the course of this block, children will face an array of transport-related challenges from soap-powered boats to cotton reel cars and flying machines. Children will consider the forces at work as they load, test and race their vehicles.
Balloon car race
Empty water bottles or small boxes; screw lids; wooden dowels, skewers or pencils; sticky tape; scissors; elastic bands; balloons; old CDs; thick card; modelling clay
Cotton reel car race
Cotton reel car made without the washer; cotton reels; burnt/used matchsticks or chopped skewers; elastic bands; pencils; flat washers; pencil alternatives: straws, nails, skewers; matchstick alternatives: paper clips, pipe cleaners
Power boat race
Aluminium foil; foil trays; card; cardboard boxes; paper; empty water bottles; cotton reels; elastic bands; burnt/used matches; flat washers; duct tape; masking tape; sticky tape; lolly sticks; pencils; straws; corks; a water tray or piping
Soap boat race
Water; rice cereal; washing-up liquid; thick card; scissors; PVA glue; liquid hand soap; hand cleaning gel; cotton buds; a water tray or piping
Parachute slow race
Plastic bin bags; string or wool; Lego people; scissors; sticky tape; yoghurt pots
Flying saucers
Frisbee™; paper plates (two sizes); sticky tape; scissors; felt tip pens
In preparation for this block, create a league table for teams to record their successes in each race. You will also need to consider where you will complete races. Although the key components for each session are listed here, you may want to have a wider variety of material available for children to choose from.