Our Year 9 Engineering students recently put their learning into action by racing CO₂-powered cars they designed and built throughout the semester. This exciting project challenged students to apply the engineering design process from start to finish, beginning with research and concept development before creating detailed designs.
Students investigated key engineering concepts including mass, drag, friction and acceleration, using calculations to predict and improve the performance of their vehicles. Students used virtual and physical wind tunnels to analyse aerodynamics and optimise their designs.
They were then able to bring their ideas to life through 3D printing, transforming their digital designs into fully functional CO₂ racers ready for competition! The project culminated in a thrilling race day, where students competed against one another and saw firsthand how their engineering choices influenced performance on the track.
This hands-on challenge provided students with valuable experience in problem-solving, data analysis, design thinking, and advanced manufacturing, while showcasing the creativity and innovation that underpin modern engineering.
