Egg Car STEM Project: Design, Build, & Protect

Table of Contents

1. The Heart of the Matter: What is an Egg Car STEM Project?
2. Why Crash? The Deep Dive into STEM Principles
3. Gathering Your Gear: Essential Materials for Your Egg Car
4. Your Blueprint for Success: The Engineering Design Journey, Step-by-Step
5. Elevating the Experience: Advanced Concepts & Extended Learning
6. Bringing the Joy of STEM Learning Home with I'm the Chef Too!
7. Conclusion
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Imagine the fascinating world of engineering, where brilliant minds design incredible machines, not just for speed or comfort, but for safety. Did you know that real scientists and engineers purposefully crash cars to understand how to make them safer? It's a critical part of ensuring our everyday vehicles protect us in the event of an accident. This intricate process of design, testing, and refinement is not confined to professional labs; it's an exciting world your child can explore right at home!

In this comprehensive guide, we're diving into one of the most beloved and impactful hands-on STEM challenges: the egg car STEM project. This isn't just about building a toy car; it's a thrilling, open-ended adventure where children become engineers, applying principles of physics, material science, and design thinking to protect a very precious "passenger"—a fragile egg—from a simulated crash. We'll explore why this project is such a powerful educational tool, walk you through the essential steps, and reveal how it perfectly aligns with our mission at I'm the Chef Too! to blend food, STEM, and the arts into one-of-a-kind "edutainment" experiences. Get ready to spark curiosity, foster creativity, and build incredible family memories, all while learning some serious science!

The Heart of the Matter: What is an Egg Car STEM Project?

At its core, an egg car STEM project is a design challenge where the primary objective is to construct a vehicle that can carry an egg safely through a collision. Think of it as a miniature crash test facility, built right on your kitchen table or living room floor! The goal isn't just to make a car that rolls; it's to engineer a protective cocoon around the egg so that when the car meets an "immovable object" (like a wall or a stack of books) after rolling down a ramp, the egg remains unharmed.

This seemingly simple task opens up a world of complex scientific and engineering principles. Students are typically given a set of limited materials – perhaps cardboard, craft sticks, plastic bottles, rubber bands, cotton balls, or straws – and challenged to devise the most effective design. There’s no single "right" way to build it, which is precisely what makes it so engaging and powerful for learning. Children are encouraged to experiment, think critically, and iterate on their designs, just like real engineers. It’s a perfect example of tangible, hands-on learning, transforming abstract concepts into something concrete and exciting. This aligns perfectly with our philosophy at I'm the Chef Too!, where we believe the best learning happens when it’s delicious, screen-free, and full of discovery!

Why Crash? The Deep Dive into STEM Principles

The true magic of the egg car STEM project lies in its ability to teach a multitude of scientific and engineering concepts in a profoundly experiential way. Kids aren't just memorizing definitions; they're seeing these principles in action, making their own observations, and drawing their own conclusions.

Newton's Laws of Motion in Action

Sir Isaac Newton's three fundamental laws of motion are the bedrock of this entire project, offering a masterclass in how forces affect objects.

• Newton's First Law: The Law of Inertia
  • This law states that an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. In the context of your egg car, this means:
    • When your car is at the top of the ramp, it wants to stay there until gravity and the push of a hand get it going.
    • Once rolling, the car (and the egg inside it!) wants to keep moving forward. When the car suddenly hits a wall and stops, the egg's inertia makes it want to continue moving forward, often straight into the car's front or out of its enclosure. This is why restraints like seatbelts (rubber bands, tape) or snugly fitting compartments are crucial. Students quickly grasp that without something to stop it gently, their egg will smash due to its continued motion.
• Newton's Second Law: Force = Mass x Acceleration
  • This law explains the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. A heavier object requires more force to accelerate it or to stop it. Here's how it plays out:
    • Weight of the Car: A heavier car might have more momentum (mass x velocity), potentially leading to a harder impact if not properly designed to absorb that energy.
    • Ramp Angle: A steeper ramp increases the acceleration, meaning the car will hit the "wall" with greater velocity, and thus more force. Students can experiment with different ramp angles to see how this affects the impact on their egg, directly observing how changing acceleration impacts the outcome. This helps them understand that the force of a collision is directly related to how quickly something stops and how heavy it is. They learn to design for impact absorption, a key engineering challenge.
• Newton's Third Law: Action-Reaction
  • For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This law is starkly evident during the collision:
    • When the car hits the wall (action), the wall exerts an equal and opposite force back on the car (reaction).
    • Similarly, when the car stops, the parts of the car push on the egg (action), and the egg pushes back (reaction). The goal is to distribute this reaction force over a longer period or a larger area so that the force on the egg is minimized. This is where "crumple zones" and cushioning come into play – they increase the time over which the force is applied, reducing the peak force experienced by the egg.

Energy Transfer: From Potential to Kinetic and Beyond

The egg car project is a fantastic way to visualize energy transformations:

• Potential Energy: At the top of the ramp, the car possesses gravitational potential energy due to its height.
• Kinetic Energy: As it rolls down, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy (the energy of motion).
• Energy Absorption & Transfer: Upon impact, this kinetic energy must go somewhere! It's either transferred to the wall, converted into sound or heat, or, ideally for our egg, absorbed by the car's structure and protective materials. Designing "crumple zones" – areas of the car designed to deform upon impact – helps absorb kinetic energy and extend the time of impact, thereby reducing the force on the egg. This concept is fundamental to real-world automotive safety.

Momentum and Impulse: The Science of Impact

• Momentum: This is simply mass multiplied by velocity (P = mv). A heavier car moving faster has more momentum.
• Impulse: When the car crashes, a force acts on it over a period of time, causing a change in its momentum. This is called impulse (Impulse = Force × Time). To protect the egg, engineers aim to minimize the force of impact. Since the change in momentum is largely fixed (the car goes from moving fast to zero), the only way to reduce the force is to increase the time over which the impact occurs. This is precisely what padding, springs, and crumple zones do: they extend the impact time, spreading the force over a longer duration and keeping the egg safe. This is a brilliant concept for children to grasp, showing them that "slowing down the stop" is critical.

Aerodynamics and Structural Integrity: Beyond Just Protection

While the primary goal is egg protection, older children can explore additional concepts:

• Aerodynamics: How does the shape of the car affect its speed down the ramp? Though often secondary in simple egg car projects, discussing how smooth surfaces and streamlined designs reduce air resistance can be an interesting extension.
• Structural Integrity: How strong is the car's frame? Will it hold up to the forces of the crash, or will it simply disintegrate, leaving the egg exposed? This involves understanding how different materials handle stress and strain, and how to create stable, robust structures.

Materials Science: Choosing the Right Tools for the Job

The choice of materials is not arbitrary; it's a critical engineering decision. Children learn:

• Properties of Materials: Why is a sponge good for cushioning? Why is cardboard good for a chassis? What makes a rubber band an effective restraint? They learn about elasticity, rigidity, absorbency, and strength.
• Optimizing Use: How can they use limited resources most effectively? This encourages innovative thinking and resourcefulness, a vital skill in any field.

The Engineering Design Process: A Systematic Approach to Innovation

Perhaps the most valuable lesson is the practical application of the engineering design process, a cyclical approach used by engineers worldwide:

1. Ask/Define: Understand the problem, criteria (what makes it successful?), and constraints (what are the limits?).
2. Imagine/Brainstorm: Generate multiple ideas and solutions.
3. Plan/Design: Choose the best idea, draw a detailed plan.
4. Create/Build: Construct the prototype.
5. Experiment/Test: See if it works, collect data.
6. Improve/Iterate: Based on test results, make changes and re-test.

This iterative process teaches problem-solving, adaptability, and resilience – essential skills that extend far beyond the workshop. It's a testament to our belief at I'm the Chef Too! that learning is an ongoing adventure, where every attempt, successful or not, offers valuable insights. This hands-on, learn-by-doing approach cultivates a love for learning and discovery.

Gathering Your Gear: Essential Materials for Your Egg Car

One of the best things about the egg car STEM project is that it can often be done with materials you already have lying around the house or classroom. This affordability and accessibility make it a fantastic screen-free activity for any family or group.

The Precious Passenger: Your Egg Choices

• Plastic Easter Egg: Highly recommended for initial testing! It's mess-free and allows for countless trials without fear of breakage. You can even add a coin or washer inside for weight to simulate a real egg's mass.
• Hard-Boiled Egg: A great next step once designs are more robust. It gives the realism of an actual egg without the immediate mess of a raw one if it breaks.
• Raw Egg: The ultimate challenge! Reserve this for the final, most confident test runs. Always place the raw egg in a small plastic baggie before putting it in the car to contain any mess if it does break.

The Car's Foundation: Building the Chassis

The chassis is the main body or frame of your car.

• Cardboard: Cereal boxes, tissue boxes, paper towel rolls (cut open and flattened), or any scrap cardboard are excellent. They're easy to cut and glue.
• Craft Sticks (Popsicle Sticks): Strong, rigid, and easy to work with. Great for creating a sturdy frame or reinforcement.
• Plastic Bottles/Containers: Empty water bottles, yogurt cups, or portion cups can form the body or protective enclosures.
• K'Nex/LEGO/Other Construction Toys: If you have these, they offer fantastic flexibility for building and rebuilding intricate designs. The ability to quickly modify and re-test is a huge advantage.
• CDs/DVDs (old ones!): Can make surprisingly effective, smooth car bases.

Wheels and Axles: Getting It Rolling

This is often the trickiest part for young engineers!

• Pre-made Wheels: Toy car wheels, bottle caps, or even slices of pool noodles can serve as wheels.
• DIY Wheels: Cut circles from sturdy cardboard, plastic lids, or old CDs/DVDs.
• Axles: Wooden dowels, straws, skewers (with adult supervision!), or even unbent paper clips can act as axles. The key is that they need to rotate freely.
• Bushings/Bearings: Straws (a larger one over the axle, inside a smaller one glued to the chassis) can help reduce friction and ensure smooth rolling.

Safety and Protection: The Egg's Personal Armor

This is where creativity truly shines! Think about how to absorb impact and cushion your egg.

• Cushioning: Cotton balls, crumpled paper, paper towels, sponges, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, foam scraps. These materials are excellent for absorbing energy.
• Restraints (Seatbelts): Rubber bands, masking tape, string. These prevent the egg from flying forward due to inertia upon impact.
• Crumple Zones: Designed to collapse and deform on impact, absorbing energy. Sections of accordion-folded paper, small plastic cups attached to the front, or layered cardboard can work.
• Airbags: Small balloons strategically placed in front of or around the egg.
• Suspension: Rubber bands or springs connecting the wheels to the chassis can mimic a car's suspension, absorbing some of the initial shock.

Assembly Tools: Putting It All Together

• Adhesives: Masking tape (easy to adjust, less messy), hot glue gun (stronger hold, adult supervision required), white school glue (takes longer to dry).
• Cutting Tools: Scissors, craft knife (adult use only).
• Measuring Tools: Ruler, measuring tape.

The Test Track: Your Crash Site

• Ramp: A sturdy piece of cardboard, a wooden plank, a plastic rain gutter, or even a folded card table with one side propped up. The length and height will influence the car's speed.
• Immovable Barrier: A brick, a stack of heavy books, a wall. This is what your car will crash into!
• Clear Testing Area: Ensure ample space for the car to roll and crash safely. Lay down cardboard or a drop cloth to protect your work surface, especially if using a raw egg for final tests.

By using a variety of accessible materials, children learn to innovate within constraints, a hallmark of real-world engineering. And just like our I'm the Chef Too! kits come with pre-measured dry ingredients and specialty supplies, ensuring you have everything you need for a complete experience, gathering your egg car materials is the first step towards a successful adventure!

Your Blueprint for Success: The Engineering Design Journey, Step-by-Step

Embarking on the egg car STEM project is an exciting journey of discovery, creation, and problem-solving. Following the engineering design process helps children approach the challenge systematically, learning valuable lessons with every step.

Step 1: Define the Challenge & Brainstorm Solutions

Before any building begins, it's crucial to understand the mission. Gather your young engineers and clearly state the goal: "Design and build a car that will protect a fragile egg when it rolls down a ramp and crashes into a wall."

• Criteria for Success: What defines a successful outcome? The egg must not crack. The car must roll. It must be built using only the provided materials.
• Constraints: What are the limitations? Specific materials, a budget (if desired, assigning "costs" to materials), a time limit, or size restrictions. For example, limiting the number of cups or rubber bands, as suggested in competitive challenges, encourages more creative problem-solving.
• Brainstorming: Encourage a free flow of ideas. How do real cars protect passengers? What kind of materials absorb shock? Sketch different car shapes, protective cages, and cushioning systems. No idea is too silly at this stage! This collaborative thinking is a key part of fostering creativity and communication, much like how our I'm the Chef Too! kits are designed to facilitate family bonding through shared exploration.

Step 2: Design & Plan Your Vehicle

Once ideas are flowing, it's time to refine them into a concrete plan.

• Detailed Sketches: Have children draw their chosen design. This isn't just art; it's an engineering blueprint. They should label components, indicate where the egg will sit, show how protection will be incorporated (crumple zones, padding, seatbelts), and plan for the wheels and axles.
• Material Selection: Based on their design, children should select the materials they intend to use. This reinforces the concept of material properties – choosing spongy materials for cushioning, rigid materials for the frame, flexible ones for restraints.
• Considerations: Discuss the placement of the egg. Should it be at the front, middle, or back? How will the impact be distributed? How will the car roll straight? This planning phase is critical for thinking through problems before they arise in the build. For inspiration and to see a variety of creative designs and themes, you can always Explore our full library of adventure kits available for a single purchase in our shop – you might find ideas for unique structural elements or themes to spark imagination!

Step 3: Build Your Prototype with Care

This is where the design comes to life! Emphasize careful construction and teamwork.

• Assembly: Guide children in assembling their car according to their plans. This involves cutting, gluing, taping, and attaching components.
• Safety First: If using a hot glue gun, ensure adult supervision. Teach safe cutting techniques with scissors.
• Precision: Remind them that stable wheels and a sturdy chassis are essential for the car to roll effectively and hold together during impact. The joy of tangible creation is immense during this stage. At I'm the Chef Too!, we understand the satisfaction of seeing a project come to life through your own hands, whether it's baking delicious treats or engineering a crash-proof car.

Step 4: Test, Observe, and Collect Data

The moment of truth! Testing is where the scientific method truly comes alive.

• Start with Plastic Eggs: Always begin testing with a plastic egg to save on mess and frustration. This allows for frequent testing and immediate feedback without consequence.
• Controlled Testing: Set up your ramp and barrier. Release the car consistently from the same point on the ramp.
• Observation: Did the car roll straight? What happened on impact? Did any parts break off? How did the protective features perform?
• Data Collection: Encourage children to document their observations. A simple chart can work: "Trial 1: What happened? Egg condition? What worked? What didn't?" This fosters scientific thinking and encourages critical analysis. Even if an egg breaks, it's not a failure; it's valuable data! For example, seeing the surprising chemical reaction that makes our Erupting Volcano Cakes bubble over with deliciousness demonstrates the power of observation and understanding reactions – just like observing your egg car crash.

Step 5: Analyze, Refine, and Iterate

This is arguably the most important step in the engineering design process, teaching resilience and problem-solving.

• Analyze Results: Based on the test data, discuss what worked well and what needs improvement. Why did the egg crack? Was the cushioning insufficient? Did the restraints fail? Did the car's structure give way?
• Refine the Design: Children should brainstorm modifications. Maybe they need more padding, a stronger chassis, different wheel placement, or a redesigned crumple zone.
• Re-test: Implement the changes and test again! The iterative nature of this process is what truly builds engineering intuition. It teaches that "failure" is just a step towards improvement and that persistence pays off. This continuous cycle of learning, adapting, and creating is at the heart of what we offer. Ready for a new adventure every month? Join The Chef's Club and enjoy free shipping on every box, where every kit is a new opportunity to design, build, and discover!

Elevating the Experience: Advanced Concepts & Extended Learning

The egg car STEM project can be easily scaled up or down to suit different age groups and learning objectives. For older children, or those who master the basic challenge quickly, there are many ways to deepen the learning and introduce more complex concepts.

Quantifying Success: Beyond Just "Did It Break?"

For middle schoolers and beyond, you can introduce quantitative analysis, turning observations into measurable data.

• Measuring Speed and Calculating Force:
  • Distance and Time: Measure the distance the car travels from the ramp's end to the impact point and time how long it takes. From this, students can calculate average speed.
  • Impact Force (Simplified): While directly measuring impact force is complex, discussions can revolve around how a higher speed and heavier car (more momentum) would generate more force if the impact time remained constant. You can compare how different designs might increase the impact time, thereby reducing the peak force on the egg.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Introduce a "budget" for materials. Assign a monetary value to each item (e.g., craft stick = $1, cotton ball = $0.50). Students then track their spending and compare the "cost" of their car to the "benefit" of protecting the egg. This introduces real-world engineering trade-offs – balancing safety with economic efficiency.

Material Exploration: A Deeper Dive

Challenge students to investigate the properties of different materials more scientifically.

• Comparative Testing: Have teams build identical car chassis but use different cushioning materials (e.g., one uses cotton, another bubble wrap, another sponges). They can then compare the results to see which material performs best under crash conditions.
• Material Limitations: Discuss the elasticity, density, and sheer strength of various materials. Why does foam absorb energy better than solid wood? This is where theoretical material science meets practical application.

Teamwork & Communication: The Collaborative Spirit

Encourage group work, as collaboration is fundamental in real engineering teams.

• Role Assignment: Assign roles within a team (e.g., designer, builder, materials manager, data recorder).
• Presentation Skills: Have teams present their designs, explain their choices, demonstrate their car's performance, and discuss their iterative process. This builds public speaking and critical explanation skills.
• Peer Review: Encourage constructive feedback between teams, fostering a community of learners and innovators.

Real-World Connections: Expanding the Horizon

• Actual Automotive Safety: Discuss modern car safety features like airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, anti-lock brakes, and side-impact protection. How do these features apply the same principles learned with the egg car (e.g., increasing impact time, distributing force, preventing ejection)?
• Ethical Considerations: As mentioned in the search results, the historical bias in crash test dummies (originally designed to represent the average male body) and its implications for female safety can be a powerful discussion point for older students, highlighting the importance of inclusive design in engineering.
• Careers in STEM: Use this project as a springboard to discuss careers in mechanical engineering, automotive design, safety engineering, and materials science.

This advanced exploration transforms the egg car from a fun activity into a robust learning module, aligning with our commitment at I'm the Chef Too! to teaching complex subjects through tangible, hands-on, and delicious cooking adventures. Just as our Galaxy Donut Kit allows kids to explore astronomy by creating their own edible solar system, the egg car project brings physics and engineering to life in an equally engaging manner. Even beloved characters can make learning fun, like when kids make Peppa Pig Muddy Puddle Cookie Pies and learn about textures and states of matter!

Bringing the Joy of STEM Learning Home with I'm the Chef Too!

The egg car STEM project beautifully encapsulates our core philosophy at I'm the Chef Too!: learning should be an exciting, multisensory journey. We believe in blending food, STEM, and the arts into one-of-a-kind "edutainment" experiences that genuinely spark curiosity and creativity in children. Just as building an egg car teaches physics through tangible construction and exciting crashes, our kits teach complex subjects through delicious, hands-on cooking adventures.

We understand that parents and educators are constantly seeking engaging, screen-free educational alternatives that also facilitate family bonding. The egg car project is a perfect example of such an activity, requiring collaboration, communication, and shared moments of triumph (and sometimes, a little messy learning!). Our kits, developed by mothers and educators, offer this same blend of fun and profound learning, delivered right to your door.

Imagine your child not just reading about chemical reactions but seeing them bubble to life in our Erupting Volcano Cakes. Or instead of just looking at pictures of planets, they're creating their own edible solar system with our Galaxy Donut Kit. These aren't just recipes; they are carefully crafted STEM experiences designed to teach scientific principles, mathematical concepts, and artistic expression, all while fostering a love for learning in a joyful, memorable way.

The iterative process of designing, building, testing, and refining your egg car mirrors the experimentation that happens naturally in the kitchen when you adjust a recipe or try a new technique. It builds confidence, develops key skills like problem-solving and critical thinking, and creates joyful family memories that last a lifetime. We are committed to providing these kinds of enriching experiences, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to discover the magic of STEM in a way that truly resonates with them.

Not ready to subscribe just yet? No problem! You can always Browse our complete collection of one-time kits to find the perfect theme for your little learner and experience the I'm the Chef Too! difference firsthand. But for ongoing educational fun and to continue sparking that incredible curiosity every month, consider joining our community. With The Chef's Club subscription, a new adventure is delivered to your door every month with free shipping in the US. Each box is a complete experience, containing pre-measured dry ingredients and specialty supplies, making it incredibly convenient for busy families. Give the gift of learning that lasts all year with a 12-month subscription, or choose our flexible 3 or 6-month pre-paid plans, perfect for gifting or long-term enrichment.

Conclusion

The egg car STEM project is far more than just a craft activity; it's a powerful educational tool that transforms abstract scientific principles into a thrilling, hands-on learning experience. From Newton's Laws of Motion to energy transfer, momentum, and the vital engineering design process, children develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creative confidence in a dynamic and memorable way. It teaches them resilience, the value of iteration, and the joy of seeing their ideas come to life – even if it takes a few cracked eggs to get there!

At I'm the Chef Too!, we wholeheartedly champion this kind of tangible, engaging learning. We believe that true "edutainment" sparks curiosity, encourages exploration, and builds a lifelong love for discovery. Just like the egg car project, our kits are designed by mothers and educators to deliver unique experiences that blend education with fun, fostering family bonding and providing enriching, screen-free alternatives. We don't promise your child will become a top scientist overnight, but we guarantee they'll develop invaluable skills, build confidence, and create joyful memories.

So, whether you're tackling the egg car challenge with household items or exploring the exciting worlds within our culinary STEM kits, remember the profound impact of hands-on learning. It’s an investment in curiosity, creativity, and connection. Ready for a continuous journey of discovery, delivered right to your home? Join The Chef's Club today and let the educational adventures begin! Give the gift of learning that lasts all year with a 12-month subscription to our STEM cooking adventures and unlock a world of fun and education.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What age is this egg car STEM project suitable for?

This project is incredibly versatile! Younger children (ages 5-8) can focus on the basic construction, motor skills, and the simple goal of "keeping the egg safe," understanding cause and effect. Older children (ages 9-14+) can delve deeper into the physics concepts (Newton's Laws, momentum, energy transfer), engage in more complex design and material choices, conduct quantitative analysis, and follow the engineering design process rigorously. Adult supervision is recommended for all ages, especially for cutting or hot gluing.

What kind of egg should I use?

We highly recommend starting with plastic Easter eggs for initial testing. They are mess-free and can withstand multiple "crashes" without breaking, allowing for extensive iteration. Once your design is robust, you can move to a hard-boiled egg for more realistic testing. Only use a raw egg for the final, confident test runs, and always place it in a small plastic baggie inside the car to contain any potential mess.

How can I make it less messy?

The primary way to minimize mess is to follow the egg recommendations above – start with plastic, then hard-boiled. If using a raw egg, the plastic baggie is a must! Additionally, setting up your testing area on a surface protected by cardboard, an old sheet, or a plastic tablecloth will make cleanup easier. Emphasize to children that broken eggs are part of the learning process, not a failure!

What if my child gets frustrated?

Frustration is a natural part of any engineering challenge! Encourage children to view "failures" as learning opportunities. Remind them that real engineers rarely get it right on the first try. Offer guidance by asking leading questions ("What happened? Why do you think that happened? What could we change?") rather than providing solutions. Sometimes, taking a short break or looking at existing examples for inspiration (like our One-Time Kits for creative design ideas) can reignite their motivation. Our mission at I'm the Chef Too! is to foster a love for learning, and part of that is building resilience and problem-solving skills through hands-on engagement.

How long does an egg car project usually take?

The duration can vary widely depending on the complexity of the design, the age of the children, and how deeply you delve into the iterative process. A basic build and test might take 1-2 hours. If you incorporate detailed planning, multiple iterations, and in-depth discussions of STEM principles, it could easily extend over several sessions or even a full day.

What specific STEM concepts are children learning with this project?

Children learn about:

• Physics: Newton's Laws of Motion (inertia, force, action-reaction), potential and kinetic energy, momentum, impulse.
• Engineering: The Engineering Design Process (define, design, build, test, iterate), structural integrity, crumple zones, materials science.
• Math: Measurement (distance, time), basic calculations (speed), data collection and analysis.
• Technology: Using tools effectively (scissors, glue).
• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Analyzing failures, brainstorming solutions, adapting designs.
• Creativity: Designing unique vehicles within constraints.
• Teamwork & Communication: Collaborating on ideas and construction (if working in groups).

This project truly covers a broad spectrum of STEM learning, making it an incredibly rich and valuable educational experience.