Safe Racer

Everything You Need to Know!

Safe Racer is………

• A two week curriculum unit

• For ALL third grade students, including GT students

• The third grade component of the BCPS County STEM Fair

Safe Racer is………

• An engineering competition for students in 3rd grade

• Since its beginning the competition has increased from 17 schools to 95

• This is an opportunity for our 3rd graders to brainstorm and then build a racer to compete against their classmates

Design & Technology• Constructivist approach• Based on problem solving• Includes model building• Cooperative learning• Provides for creativity of all individuals

Safe RacerRed

Flags

Safe Racer is not………

• an optional unit

• for GT students only.

STEM Fair Teams…….

• Must meet the construction requirements for a March 20th competition date

Design and Construction• Car

– Use wheels and axles provided– Must use recyclable materials– Must have an open top– Body =

• 4 inches or less in width• 9 inches or less in length• 12 ounces or less in weight

– Team logo clearly displayed

Design and Construction (cont’d)

• Safety Equipment– May include seat belt, helmet, air bag, roll

bar– Eggbert’s face must not be covered and

must be able to “see the road”– Eggbert must be able to be removed by

judges to examine for injury

Video Of Competition

• Crash Test

• Distance Test

Testing

• Test your car using the ramp multiple times– Did your egg stay in your car?– Did your egg crack?– Did your car go a long distance?– Can you improve the distance your car

traveled?• Ramp will be 6 feet long and at a 30

degree angle

Safe RacerGroups of 4 from all 4 classes.

   Important Dates:

• On March 27th, 28th, and April 1st students will be completing the construction of their Safe Racers in school.

• On April 4th, the Baltimore Highlands Elementary competition will be held to determine a winning team based on results from a distance and crash test! 

Safe RacerAt the end of the Safe Racer Unit, there

is a school-based competition to determine the school’s “safest” racer using results from a crash test and a

distance test. Once the winning team has been

determined, the school may decide to send their winning team to the STEM

Fair, where students will compete against other 3rd grade teams from all

over Baltimore County!

Safe Racer Dates

Competition Dates: (tentative)Saturday, May 10

Southwest: 9:30

AM

The STEM Fair Competition

All student team members will receive a certificate and a ribbon for their participation.

All students are encouraged to attend. However, sometimes situations cause

students to miss the exhibition.

The scores from the winners from each geographic area will be compared to find the

overall Grand Prize winner. This will be announced at the STEM Fair Awards

Ceremony and the trophy will be presented to the winning team.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Any questions please send a note in with your student or email their

teachers or myself at : CCarter8@bcps.org