Explore mass, thrust, drag, friction, and more with this hands-on engineering challenge from the James Dyson Foundation: Balloon car race. Mechanical engineer Dr. Shini Somara introduces the DIY balloon-powered car activity for kids of all ages, including teens and adults, as well as the record-setting Bloodhound SSC Car that inspired it.
She meets with three Dyson engineers who share their balloon race car designs in a car race and a next-level demonstration.
Supplies to start with: A balloon, a plastic cup or bottle, straws, thread, and rubber bands.
This 2016 video is one in a series created to get kids excited about engineering. Download the engineering challenge cards pdf to explore this DIY activity and others.
Related at Scientific American: Build a Balloon-Powered Car.
Plus, explore more balloon videos and more activities you can try at home, including these easy examples:
• How to make fizzy bottle rockets
• ExpeRimental: How to Make Static Magic
• How to make a homemade vortex cannon
• Demonstrations of the Coanda Effect
• How to Make a Cloud in Your Mouth
• How to make a self-starting siphon
Bonus: Driving on Air – Inventor Raul Oaida and his LEGO car.
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