Year 8 Co2 Dragsters

A Masterclass in Design and Speed

 

Year 8 students have rocketed into Term 4 with the highly anticipated racing of their CO2 dragsters, the culmination of a rigorous Term 3 design project!

 

This unit was a true test of integrated skills, demanding far more than just construction. Students became applied engineers, tackling complex challenges in aerodynamics to minimize drag, mechanical engineering for perfect axle alignment, and aesthetics for visual appeal. From the initial concept sketch to the final coat of paint, they mastered skills in precision carving, meticulous finishing, and iterative problem-solving.

 

We saw some truly inventive and, frankly, wacky designs, a testament to the students' creativity. However, when the starting hammer dropped, only pure physics mattered! The action was lightning-fast: the sharp puncture of the CO2 canister unleashed a powerful jet of pressurized gas, instantly propelling the miniature race cars down the track. The winning dragster set an incredible pace, covering the course in less than half a second!

 

Congratulations to all Year 8 students for their hard work, innovation, and fantastic sportsmanship. They didn't just build a car; they designed a high-speed lesson in physics!

 

Nathan Manning

Year 7 Coordinator