Need for Speed: A Workshop for Building Race Cars

One of the fascinating and challenging workshops offered at the Gelfand Fab Lab is the newly titled “Need for Speed,” a hands-on activity dedicated to building race cars.

Participants are divided into teams and provided with building materials: a wooden board, accessories created through 3D printing, and laser-cut components.

The goal: Build the car that reaches the finish line the fastest!

Once the cars are completed, each team competes head-to-head. The cars are released from the top of a sloped track, accelerating solely under the force of gravity. Results are measured with a “photo finish” system, determining the winning team in each round.

The workshop challenges participants to consider various factors that influence speed, such as friction, aerodynamics, symmetry, and weight. Each parameter directly impacts the car’s performance in the race.

This workshop was a unique experience in problem-solving, creative thinking, and hands-on learning about physical principles.

So, which car crossed the finish line the fastest?

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