1. Driving SCIENCE STEM Activity 7
Building A Balloon Car
Clemson University Student-Designed Prototype

2. Building a Balloon Car
With your team, follow your design to build a balloon car.
Constraints
Choose from the provided materials.
The length of the straw can be changed.
The car should travel at least 2 meters
in a straight line.
Only one person should blow into the balloon.

3. Analyzing the Prototype
Does the propulsion system make the car go?
Does the car travel in a straight line?
Does the car travel at least 2 meters?
Were requirements in the constraints met?

4. Potential energy is stored energy. Kinetic energy is motion energy.
Writing About Energy
In Your Notebooks:
Make another drawing of the car, labeling the first design “Before Revisions” and the second design “After Revisions.”
Explain in writing the potential and kinetic energy of your balloon car.
Potential energy is
stored energy.
Kinetic energy is
motion energy.

5. Reflection
What do you now know about energy and your balloon cars? What successes and issues did your team have in planning and carrying out your design? What changes did you make in your design?

6. American Honda Foundation DuPont CU-ICAR Safety-Kleen, EcoPower Fluor
Thanks to PDI2 partners who sponsored the development of this activity and provided professional development support:
American Honda Foundation
DuPont
CU-ICAR
Safety-Kleen, EcoPower
Fluor
United States Conference of Mayors
Thanks to race track partners who provided support for teachers:
Darlington Raceway, Daytona International Speedway, Dover International Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, and Richmond International Raceway
Copyright © 2015 Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina (SC).