The Salford Racing Buggy
This enjoyable activity is aimed at Years 3 to 8 and takes approximately 1½ - 2 hours.
Starting with a kit of parts, students have the opportunity to build a Salford Buggy using simple tools.
Once built and switched on, the buggy moves under battery energy. Pupils have the opportunity to evaluate their model and make improvements.
Building the buggy takes approximately 1 hour.
Students are encouraged to draw their own wing design.
The session finishes with a competition to find the fastest buggy and opportunity to measure the speed of the winner.
Students work well in teams of 2 constructing one kit.
The Salford Buggy addresses QCA Units Sc 1E, 2E, 4E, 4F:
Design and Technology :
• Try out tools and techniques
• Design and make images and artefacts
• Review what they and others have done
• Identify what they might change in future work
• Learn about colour and pattern, shape and space
• Work in a team
• Follow a plan
• Assemble and combine components
• Identify ways they could improve their product
• Carry out appropriate tests before making any improvements
• Recognise that the quality of a product depends on how well it is made and how well it meets its intended purpose
• How mechanisms can be used to make things move in different ways
• How electrical circuits can be used to achieve results that work
Science :
• Cells (batteries) give electrical energy
• Conductors carry electricity, metals are conductors and non-metals are insulators
• Electricity flows in a particular direction and that decides which way an electric motor turns
• Friction tries to prevent objects moving, or slows down a moving object
• Measuring distance travelled and time taken allows speed to be calculated
For further information or to book a session for your school, please contact:
Marie Roberts - Tel: 0161 295 6374 Fax: 0161 295 2655
Email: mrobertssalford@aol.com