Balloon Car Competition

GENERAL:

The contestants shall design, build and race lightweight “gas”-powered vehicles. The “gas”, of course, is the air in the balloons. Students will design a “gas”-powered car that travels the farthest distance from the starting point. Students are only limited to using balloons specified by the guidelines. Each car will be inspected by the judges prior to the competition run. Judges will issue each car two 9-inch latex balloons prior to the competition. Each car will be inspected to ensure that the proper balloons have been used. Each car will perform threetrial runs and the average distance will be calculated. In case of a tie, the lightest and shortest car will be awarded the placement.

MATERIALS:

Any material may be used in the design, as long as the structure meets the design and contest rules as outlined below.

DESIGN AND CONTEST RULES:

  1. No kits, no prefabricated (ex. wheels, axles or bodies), or pre-made designs (ex. matchbox cars) may be used. The car must be the individual’s invention and raw materials.
  2. The car must be completely powered by the “gas” in the balloon. No other propulsion systems will be allowed. (You may NOT use rubber bands, CO2boosters, or any other agent or element for extra power).
  3. No gases (i.e. helium, hydrogen, etc.) other than air can be present in the balloon during the car’s three runs.
  4. The balloon can be inflated to any size as long as it does not burst. Should the balloon burst during the run, it will count as an official run.
  5. Only 9-inch (22.5 cm) latex balloons will be used during the competition as provided.
  6. The car must have a minimum of three wheels and can be made as long or short as desired

JUDGING: (70% distance traveled and 30% design)

  1. One 9-inch (22.5 cm) latex balloon will be supplied prior to the competition, and two at the competition. You cannot bring your own balloons.
  2. All cars will be inspected, measured and weighed by the judges before they are raced.
  3. Once a car is measured and weighed-in, there cannot be any changes in the car.
  4. The balloon must be attached to the car on-site.
  5. If the balloon is damaged during attachment to the car, you must use your spare balloon supplied by the judges.
  6. If the balloon bursts during a trial, racers will be given one minute to get your vehicle functional with spare balloon.
  7. If the second balloon is damaged, a 50% point deduction will be incurred and third balloon supplied. No additional balloons will be supplied after that and remaining trials are forfeited.
  8. Cars will be tested on a smooth flat surface down the science hallway. Distance is measured from the starting line to the farthest point of travel, utilizing a straight line to connect the two points.
  9. The car must move a minimum of 10cm in order for the score to be recorded. There will be three runs for each car and the average calculated. The score will be based on the distance that thecar travels. In case of a tie, the lightest and shortest car will determine the winner.

BALLOON CAR RACE COMPETITION

Evaluation Worksheet

Student Name: ______

THIS SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY THE JUDGES

Length of Car (centimeters) =

Mass of Car (grams) =

DISTANCE COMPETITION (70%)

Point deductions for exceeding time limit or damaging second balloon =

Distance in meters
Trial #1
Trial #2
Trial #3
Average

CAR DESIGN (30%)

Approaching
1 / Average/Adequate
5 / Exceeds
10
Ingenuity/Creativity
Complexity of Materials
Effort of Build/Quality
Total Score