Students construct their own vehicles to go down a ramp, quickly. Students modify their vehicles to increase speed. They measure distances for each of four runs on the ramp. Discuss factors which contribute to the vehicle's speed, or lack of it. Students predict what will happen when the ramp is lowered.
Students race cars on lowered ramp, and note differences.
Teach terms and uses of gears. Brainstorm uses of gears. Students make gear trains using axles and beams to demonstrate the direction of meshed gears and the relationship regarding the speed between smaller and larger gears. Students learn how to motorize the LEGO vehicle. Each student constructs a gear train using an 8 tooth and a 40 tooth gear.