SUBMITTED BY: Drayton Valley Public Library
PROGRAM DELIVERY: Directions should be recorded and posted (website, social media, YouTube – whatever your patrons are accessing) so that they can be accessed / replayed as needed. Could be livestreamed or in a video chat in addition for a more interactive experience. Comments while livestreaming or video chat allow for brainstorming & problem solving with the patrons.
STAFF INSTRUCTIONS/TIPS: Practice first! Make your own car so that you can experience the process and see what types of problems could occur – if you are doing an interactive program (livestreamed or video chat), this will help you better brainstorm & problem solve with patrons. Learn a little about the science behind how the car works (potential energy / elastic potential energy, kinetic energy, friction) – be sure to explain the scientific concepts behind what you are doing! If you are preparing materials (craft kits, etc.) for the patrons, you may want to precut the hole in the bottom of the box and punch the holes in the side of the box. Do not flatten the boxes as this decreases the strength of the box – jello or macaroni & cheese boxes work best. Try to do the least damage to these boxes when opening them. The end that was opened will need to be taped shut again.
AGE GROUP: age 6+ (adult assistance may be needed with cutting & making elastics behave!)
TIME REQUIRED: 30 min (from scratch with decorating) – 10 min (box prepared, minimal décor)
SPACE CONSIDERATIONS: Table required for work/to run program. May wish to move to the floor to test car.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: Per car:
INSTRUCTIONS (FOR PATRONS):
(You do not need to turn the box inside out as in the picture – that’s just something I tried. Also, I took apart my already constructed car which is why you see decorations, etc in the photos.)
BOOK/MEDIA TIE-IN (OPTIONAL): Any non-fiction books about cars! Any books about cars from the movie “Cars” – or the “Cars” movie itself. Any stories with cars in them!
Non-fiction (on Hoopla) – Amazing Rubber Band Cars (by Mike Rigsby)
Non-fiction (on Hoopla) – The Inventor’s Secret: What Thomas Edison Told Henry Ford (by Suzanne Slade)