CO2 Car Project

The main event for the 7th Grade Technology class is our CO2 Car Project. Most of our class instruction and exploration has been developed so that each student will design, draw and create a functional wooden car that is propelled by a carbon dioxide gas cartridge. The students will explore the principles of what it takes to make a 2x4" pine block into a high speed vehicle! Our students will apply terms such as aerodynamic value, drag, and friction as part of the design of their car. Click here to see The Technology Words of the Day slideshow. Each student will conduct an internet search on CO2 car designs and will need to complete a worksheet on a very cool and informative website called The Science of Speed.

We spend a lot of time designing and drawing the cars. The students are taught to use two-view working drawings that show the side and top view of the car. The students watch a series of short videos that we have made on technical drawing. The entire class will use the SIX STEP PROCESS that assists the students in drawing any car design. The class will use another instructional video that assists with the drawing of the dragster with a hole in front.

Another great resource is the website of the British Land Speed Vehicle http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/. The team is working to design and build a record breaking Land Speed Vehicle. This is much like a super-sized CO2 Car so check it out!

We have been taking pictures of the most unique and creative CO2 Car designs that are made each semester. Recently, I have produced a video of all of these cars in addition to a video of one of our CO2 Car Races. Maybe your design is on there or will be put on the newest version of the video. I do plan on updating the video after each semester's races. Attached to the video is an Excell spreadsheet file of our Top 100 ~ All Time Race List. Look for it within the Support Files that are attached with the video.