Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the basic principles of building an electric go cart and have the knowledge to start building your own.
Materials and Prep
- Electric motor
- Battery
- Wheels
- Chassis (frame)
- Wires
- Screws and nuts
- Screwdriver
- Wire cutters/strippers
- Tape measure or ruler
Prior knowledge required: Basic understanding of electricity and simple circuits.
Activities
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Design your go cart: Draw a rough sketch of how you want your go cart to look. Think about the size, shape, and placement of the motor, battery, and wheels.
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Gather materials: Collect all the necessary materials listed above. Make sure you have everything you need before starting.
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Build the chassis: Use the screws and nuts to assemble the frame of the go cart. Refer to your sketch for guidance.
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Install the motor: Attach the electric motor to the chassis using screws. Make sure it is securely fastened.
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Connect the battery: Use wires to connect the battery to the motor. Follow the instructions provided with the motor for proper wiring.
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Attach the wheels: Install the wheels onto the chassis. Make sure they are aligned properly and can rotate freely.
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Test your go cart: Carefully place the go cart on a flat surface and turn on the motor. Observe how it moves and make any necessary adjustments.
Third Grade Talking Points
- "Electricity is a form of energy that can power machines like our go cart."
- "A motor is a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, making things move."
- "Batteries store electrical energy and can provide power to our go cart."
- "Wheels help our go cart move smoothly and easily."
- "Building a go cart requires careful planning and assembly of different parts."
- "We need to follow instructions and make sure all the components are connected properly to make our go cart work."
- "Testing our go cart helps us identify any issues and make improvements."