Build a Better Mousetrap Car
by Patricia Briggs
This multi-day activity is designed for an introductory 5th grade STEM after school club. On Day 1, each student will build and test a simple mousetrap car following the teacher’s instructions. Students will record procedures, materials, and data in their STEM notebook. For Days 2-4, partners or teams will design, build, test, and modify a mousetrap car that will travel the greatest distance using only one regular mousetrap as energy for propulsion. Students will record procedures, materials, and data in their STEM notebook.