Balloon Race Car Force and Friction STEM Lab (PHY05) | Middle School Physical Science (Grades 6-8)

?️ Balloon Race Car Force and Friction STEM Lab (PHY05)

Explore Newton's Third Law of Motion, action-reaction thrust forces, rolling friction, axle alignment, and speed mechanics! The Balloon Race Car Force and Friction STEM Lab (PHY05) challenges middle school student teams to act as automotive engineers, building a lightweight balloon-powered dragster to travel maximum distance along a drag strip.

Students explore Newton's 3rd Law (Action-Reaction), thrust force mechanics, air pressure differentials, rolling vs. sliding friction, axle alignment, and average speed calculations!

? WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS 3-PAGE PACKET?

• ? Page 1: Teacher Guide & Lesson Plan: NGSS alignment (MS-PS2-1, MS-PS2-2, MS-ETS1-2), target science concepts, and floor track setup guide. Expected student outcomes, answer keys, and launch safety rules.

• ?️ Page 2: Student Mission Card & Blueprint: Real-world automotive engineering and thrust propulsion scenario hook. Clear material limits box (balloon, straws, skewers, bottle caps, chassis, tape, meter stick, timer). Dedicated Vehicle Chassis & Thrust Vector Schematic sketching zone.

• ? Page 3: Testing Log & Scientific Reflection: Structured Data Testing Table (distance cm, time s, average speed cm/s, alignment notes). Applied Math Connection (calculate Average Speed in cm/s and m/s). Physics reflection questions.

? CORE STEM SKILLS COVERED:

• Automotive Engineering & Propulsion Physics Mechanics

• Newton's Third Law (Action-Reaction) & Thrust Acceleration

• Friction Reduction, Axle Alignment, and Drag Vector Control

• Data Logging, Time Measurement (s), and Average Speed Calculations

? WHY TEACHERS LOVE THIS RESOURCE:

• 3-Page Professional Layout: Includes a complete Teacher Guide for seamless prep, keeping student lab sheets clean and ready to print!

• Low-Cost Materials: Uses simple balloons, drinking straws, wooden skewers, plastic bottle caps, and water bottles.

• High-Impact Physics Lab: Transforms Newton's laws of motion into an exciting, hands-on, high-speed drag strip competition!

• Format: High-resolution, print-ready PDF format (3 Pages).

Target Grades: 6th, 7th, 8th / Middle School

Subject Area: Physical Science, Physics, Forces and Motion, STEM Labs, Newton's Laws

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