Step 1: Get supplies, print worksheets, and watch the troubleshooting video.

Each student will need:

• a #32 rubber band (i.e. ⅛” wide) — available at any office supply store or Amazon (Rubber bands that are thicker will store & release too much energy, causing racers to spin wildly; rubber bands that are too thin won’t store enough energy to make racers move.)
• a paper cup (8 oz cups are a good size)
• two disposable plastic cup lids with straw slot in the middle — available at fast food restaurants, coffee shops, Staples. (Lids should be larger than the paper cup)
• a pencil or pen that can write on the cup lid
• a toothpick
• a plastic straw
• 2 pony beads (9mm size) — available at Amazon and craft stores
• a large paper clip
• a 1” x 1” cardboard square (The cardboard from a cereal box is the right stiffness.)
  
• a hole punch to share with a few other students
• a Race to the Sweet Spot worksheet

To set up the racetrack, you will also need:

• a yardstick or tape measure
• some masking tape
• a clear floor space measuring at least 4 feet wide and about 14 feet long

Finally, watch this 2-minute video for tips that will help you keep your rollers from spinning out of control.

Step 2: Before class, cut cardboard squares for students & set up your racetrack.

It takes about 15 minutes to cut and punch squares for a class of 30; 10 minutes to set up racetrack.

Cut the cardboard into squares that are about 1” on each side. If you only have one or two hole punches, we also recommend punching a hole in each square before class.

To set up the racetrack, mark the Starting Line and the two lines on either side of the Sweet Spot with masking tape. The Sweet Spot begins eight feet from the Starting line and ends ten feet from the Starting line.