Rubberband Car 3D design and discovery learning project

thingiverse

The attached STL files can be used to build a reference model rubberband car that goes along with the rubberband-car-building project, designed specifically for students aged 8-12 years old. By taking a rubber band propelled car and converting it into a 3D model over six one-hour sessions, students will learn the basics of 3D design. They will modify and improve their designs each week, working in teams to meet specific criteria and constraints. Students will assemble the non-3D-printed version of the rubber band car on Day 1, introducing them to Tinkercad design basics by demonstrating a wheel with a hole that fits a toothpick. On subsequent days, students will test and refine their designs, learning about teamwork, collaborative design, and engineering principles. The project is designed for weekly 60-minute sessions over at least six weeks, allowing students to develop their skills in TinkerCAD, 3D printing basics, and engineering. By the end of the project, students will have created a functional rubberband car that can travel on various terrains, demonstrating their understanding of physics and design principles. To prepare for this lesson, teachers should be familiar with basic shapes and design in Tinkercad and acquire necessary materials such as toothpicks, straws, bottlecaps, and rubberbands. The rubric provided assesses student engagement, standards-based learning, and creativity, available at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v4G8kXdYv7uiuHFOn2-iDbsLsyo6em-ZD8KYmgMTuB8/edit?usp=sharing. References: * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjXYVpAyYG0 (Motivating video for the project) * https://www.tinkercad.com (TinkerCAD design platform)