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YEAR 8 Science
Task 9 Research Assignment – Energy Converter-Mouse-Trap Car
Student Name ………………………………………………………………..

Task 9: Research Assignment: Energy Converter-Mouse-Trap Car.

Instruction:
Your Task is to research and design a Mouse-Trap propelled car.

1. Part A: Research a design. (approximately 1 page): Group work

2. Part B: Build your Car and race it. Group work
3. Part C: Explain how it works, making sure you use the language of energy to
describe what is happening from start to finish. (Minimum of 150 words)
Individual work

You can use Library resources as well as the internet. You must make sure that you
reference all resources that you get your information from.

Relevant Aspects of the Achievement Standard

 Students construct questions that they can investigate scientifically. They

consider safety and ethics when planning investigations, including designing
field or experimental methods.
 Students identify variables to be changed, measured and controlled. They
construct representations of their data to identify and analyse patterns and
trends, and use these when justifying their conclusions. Students explain how
modifications to methods could improve the quality of their data. They apply their
scientific knowledge to evaluate claims made by others.
 Students use appropriate language and representations to communicate
science ideas, methods and findings.
 Solutions to contemporary issues that are found using science and technology,
may impact on other areas of society and may involve ethical
considerations (ACSHE135) Scientific knowledge has changed peoples’
understanding of the world and is refined as new evidence becomes
available (ACSHE134)
Part A: Group Work (8 marks)

There are many ways to build a mouse trap car depending on the requirements of the designer and
purpose of the car. Even the materials of the parts that you will use may vary depending on your
mouse trap car’s needs.

In this section, you are to research, design and work out a procedure on how to build your mouse
trap car. The main purpose for your build is to construct a car that will travel the longest
distance. You will need to work in groups of 3 unless agreed upon by the teacher.

If you are stuck for designs ideas, your teacher can provide you with a couple of ideas for instruction
to begin with. However, this will reduce your marks for this section. Check your marking rubric.

For this section, make sure you cover these points.

1. A diagram of the finished product, labelling the various parts including dimensions.
2. Evidence of research - where did you get your ideas from.
3. A list of materials needed for the construction including tools needed
4. A step by step instruction to build your car.

Note the school will provide:

 the mouse trap, some wood and craft glue or use of glue gun.
 Nails if needed.
 We will be working in the trade-training centre.
 You will have 2 class periods to put this together. (make sure you have everything you need
before the period starts.)
 You will need to bring everything else not listed above.

To get you started, try this links below.

https://www.instructables.com/id/Mousetrap-Car-Racer/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6xDXaPNfwU

Part B: Group Work (8 marks)

1. Build quality, appearance and originality.

2. The race will take place in the Gym. All Cars will be ranked from longest to shortest
and marks allocated based on their distance travelled.

Part C: Individual Work ( 8 marks)

1. A brief description of how your mouse trap car works.

2. Explain the Science of making the car move, ensuring you cover energy
transformation.
 Marking Rubric
Part A-Planning 0 1 2 3 4
Design and Research No Limited Most All elements All elements
evidence Evidence elements covered with covered with
covered sufficient details well set out
in design detailed design
with
measurements
Material & Procedure No List of Incomplete Complete Complete list of Complete list of
materials list and list of materials and materials and
or procedure materials complete complete build
Procedure and procedure, but procedure with
incomplete lacking detail diagrams
procedure
Part B- Conducting 0 1 2 3 4
Build quality incomplete Complete, Complete, Complete with Exemplary
but weak but good example of
structures presentation presentation model car with
poor original ideas
Length Travelled Bottom 3 Next 6 Next 5 Top 4
Part C- Explanation 0 1 2 3 4
How does the car Did not Limited Partly Mostly complete Complete
move answer covered explanation of explanation of
this how the vehicle how the vehicle
question moves, without moves including
including the the listed parts
listed parts
Energy transformation Did not Limited Partly Mostly covered Complete
explained answer covered explanation of
this all energy
question transformation
with energy
diagram