At a Glance: Students cut and fold vehicle bodies from paper templates and then assemble them with wheels and axles.
Concepts: Students experiment with the wheel and axle simple machine in the context of a real-world application. Other concepts include friction and rolling resistance.
Details: A roadster template with color-coded cut and score lines is distributed to each student. After placing the template on a sheet of corrugated cardboard to protect the table, students use an X-ACTO knife to cut out four small squares that will later form the axle entry points. Then, using scissors, students cut the car from the sheet and score the fold lines with the blunt edge of the scissors. The car body is folded and its tabs taped together to form a three-dimensional vehicle shape.
Next, axle bushings are constructed from plastic drinking straws. Students cut the straws to a length 1/8" longer than the vehicle is wide and insert them through the axle entry points. Two dowel rods are cut to 2-1/2" lengths to form the vehicle's axles. Inserting the axles into the straw bushings and attaching wheels to each end of the axles completes the assembly.
The vehicles are rolled down Pitsco's Roll Test Ramp. A roadster is placed at the top of the ramp and released. The distance it travels is measured and recorded in a data table. Then, carpet or sandpaper is placed at the foot of the ramp and the test is repeated. Students compare the distance traveled in each test to determine the effect of friction on speed.
At a Glance: Students cut and fold vehicle bodies from paper templates and then assemble them with wheels and axles. 
