Windy Cool Rod is an event which challenges the students to build, from a list of limited household items, a wind powered car.  “Rod” comes from the American slang for the word car which was made popular back quite a few years.

            The challenge is to have the wind powered car travel in a straight line over two “obstacles” (wooden dowels and a ramp) and under the “Arch of Triumph.”  The winner is the one whose car does it in the shortest period of time.  Points are scored for distance (from starting line to back of car where it stops or leaves the track) and time for determining standings in the competition.

            The wind power comes from a 20” box fan, which will be set on high, at the start of the course.

The cars must be build from the following list of materials:

            cardboard          tape                  spools              glue            popsicle sticks

            brads                 hangers             wire                  paint         paper towel rolls

            staples               paper               straws              plastic lids

            Styrofoam (limited to one piece)

  .

  No plastic wraps are allowed.

  All cars must be on wheels.

Requirements:

1. The students are not required to use all of these materials but building materials must come ONLY from this list.

2.  All cars must be on wheels.

3.  No plastic wrap is allowed. (only those items on the list above)

4.  Each car must not exceed 1 foot in length, 1 foot in width and 1 foot in height.

5. There is not weight requirement.

Any cars not meeting these requirements will be disqualified.