Building Mousetrap Cars

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girls building car

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Mousetrap cars are fun to build and race. They make a great youth STEM project for 4-H or the classroom. They are a great way to explore science concepts like energy transfer, friction, torque and inertia. and they make a great youth STEM project for the classroom, 4-H or other youth club.  Download the Mousetrap Cars Mentor Guide for suggestions on building mousetrap cars with youth.

Building a mousetrap car is relatively simple and only requires some common materials found around the home or local hardware store.  Below are some downloadable activity resources on building mousetrap cars, modifying them for distance or speed and some of the basic science of mousetrap cars. 

For an online tutorial and video view this Build a Mousetrap Car Instructable.

Once you've mastered building a basic car, try these challenges for More Fun with Mousetrap Cars.

Contact

Extension Field Specialist - Science Literacy
Extension Field Specialist, 4-H Science Education
Phone: (603) 447-3834
Office: Cooperative Extension, Taylor Hall, Durham, NH 03824