Activity Introduction
Use your LEGO to design and build a balloon-powered car. If it doesn’t work the first time, don’t give up! Think about what you can change on your car to improve it.
If you build a LEGO car it won’t be able to move unless a force (a push or a pull) is acting upon it. This could be you pushing it along or putting it on top of a slope and letting it roll down. Another way you can get a car to move is by using wind force, which is made when a balloon loses its air and pushes the car along the ground.
This activity is a great one to do together as a family.
Younger kids will need support to complete this activity.
Ideal for: Early Learning, Lower Primary Ages 3 – 8
Themes:
- investigate
- playtime
- be creative
Time required: 40 minutes
Curriculum connections: Science – Forces, STEM, Design and Technologies, Critical and Creative Thinking
In this lesson the children use LEGO to build a balloon-powered car. They see forces in action and take part in an active building challenge. Children explore design through hands-on building and troubleshooting. An important part of STEM learning is for children to try things out to see what works. This process often leads to making adjustments or redesigns, both of which are vital critical thinking skills. This activity is a great way to focus on problem-solving skills using STEM. For tips watch this video:
3 Awesome LEGO Learning Activities – Balloon Cars (1.46 – 2.20) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRUuLbaO1g4)
Curriculum codes:
- Early Learning: Outcome 4, Outcome 5
- Foundation: ACSSU005, ACTDEK002
- Year 1: ACTDEK002
- Year 2: ACSSU033, ACTDEK002
Complete lesson for classroom teachers:
STEM – LEGO Car Design Challenge – Early Learning
- Balloons
- LEGO or connecting bricks
- Marker
- Masking tape
- One arched brick
- Tape measure
- Wheel sets – four wheels
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[email protected] from Cool Australia
[email protected] resources are designed for parents and teachers to use with children in the home environment. They can be used as stand-alone activities or built into existing curriculum-aligned learning programs. Our [email protected] series includes two types of resources. The first are fun and challenging real-world activities for all ages, the second are self-directed lessons for upper primary and secondary students. These lessons support independent learning in remote or school settings.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
