Cars, Matches and Science

Isaac's science teacher has been very good at communicating to parents about what she is doing with her students in class.   I knew that Isaac had built cars during science today.

During dinner, I asked him about the project.   He obviously loved it because he launched into great detail about his car.   They had been given some materials and, as a team, they had to design and build a car that could make it across the classroom without the students touching it.   The materials included lifesavers, paper, tape, paperclips and straws.    All the kids quickly worked out that blowing the cars was the way to go.   

This led to discussions around the table about design and other methods that could of been used - including Ben's grand idea of using fire.

Being the nerdy house that we are, everyone adjourned to the kitchen where Ben launched into an impromptu science lesson about how fire can generate thermal flows that can propel a car.   And, Ben being Ben, there had to be an experiment.

With the comment of "if this goes wrong you cannot complain about the costs of a new table" I let him be.   With a little alfoil, some paperclips, twist ties and matches, the kids science knowledge was expanded - much to their delight.   

And the kitchen table has no scorch marks.