Mechanical Systems: Making a slingshot car
Designing and making a car with a working slingshot mechanism and housing the mechanism using a range of nets.
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Option 2: Making a slingshot car
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Work independently to produce an accurate, functioning car chassis.
- Design a shape that is suitable for the project.
- Attempt to reduce air resistance through the design of the shape.
- Produce panels that will fit the chassis and can be assembled effectively using the tabs they have designed.
- Construct car bodies effectively.
- Conduct a trial accurately and draw conclusions and improvements from the results.
Suggested prior learning
Option 2: Pneumatic toys
Get startedLesson plans
Lesson 1: Chassis and launch mechanism
- To build a car chassis.
Lesson 2: Designing the car body
- To design a shape that reduces air resistance.
Lesson 3: Making the car body
- To make a model based on a chosen design.
Lesson 4: Assembly and testing
- To assemble and test my completed product.
Key skills
Key knowledge
Related content
Resources
Unit resources
Design and technology
Knowledge organiser: DT – Y4 Making a slingshot car
A summary document for pupils with key facts and definitions to consolidate pupils' learning in this D&T Y4 'Making a…
Design and technology
Vocabulary display: Mechanical Systems: Making a slingshot car
A display version of the key vocabulary from the Mechanical Systems: Making a slingshot car unit.
Cross-curricular opportunities
None relevant to this unit.
Build on the learning
Option 2: Making a pop-up book
Pupils build on their knowledge from learning how to make a slingshot car, applying mechanical system skills to create interactive mechanisms in a pop-up book.