Upon first glance, it’s hard to make a connection between a collection of recycled items and one of the most influential scientists of all time. What on earth could chopsticks, bottle caps, can lids and lifesavers have to do with Sir Isaac Newton? 

 

BHS Science Teacher Lea Ann Barnes presented such a challenge to her freshman students and the results taught them much more than any textbook could have.

 

The students were studying Newton’s Third Law of Motion, which states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. 

 

“The students were challenged with creating their own cars that would be powered by balloons. To demonstrate the Third Law of Motion, the air from the balloons would push the car forward,” said Barnes. 

 

The rules were simple: Anything could be used to make the car, it must have at least three wheels, and they must be made out of something that was not intended to be wheels.  Additionally, the cars could not leave the ground and had to travel at least five meters.

 

“The students were really creative in their designs,” Barnes said. 

 

On race day, cars showed up with lifesaver wheels, chopstick bodies, straw axles and milk carton aerodynamic designs. 

 

“It was exciting to watch their faces as they raced,” Barnes said. “They cheered their cars and watched the Law of Motion in action."

 

In the end, Kendall Kirk’s car went the farthest, with an impressive 17 meter run. Her lightweight design allowed the balloon air to propel it forward and excel among the competition. Santana Reed came in second. 

 

“It was really fun to use our imaginations to design the cars and learn how Newton’s Law works,” said Reed.