Hill Quest

For School Groups

School Program
Costs $10.00 per student
Takes about 2.00 hours
Designed for 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade and 8th grade
Theme: Force and Motion
Challenge type: School Wide Challenge

Meets Connecticut Science Standards

4.1 The position and motion of objects can be changed by pushing or pulling.
7.1 Energy provides the ability to do work and can exist in many forms.
8.1 An object’s inertia causes it to continue moving the way it is moving unless it is acted upon by a force to change its motion.

Wheels, axles, chassis parts, connectors, rubber bands and mouse traps are the basic components of each kit that allows students to construct cars that sprint or creep to the top of a wooden ramp…jousting with another student’s car.

Challenge: Beat your opponent to the top of the three foot ramp and hold your ground. The project tests all the dynamics of Force and Motion and tests planning and problem solving.

Watch Hill Quest Cars in Action
Hillquest Cars
Four Wheel Drive
Schoolwide Challenges
Pictures

Watch Hill Quest Cars in Action

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Hillquest Cars

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Wedge

Pros

lifts opponents off the ground
simple & reliable
light & fast
rubber tires

Cons

two wheel drive
opponents sometimes go over the top
little pushing power

Flinger

Pros

flicks cars off the track
rubber tires
four-wheel drive

Cons

somewhat complicated
doesn't lift all cars
short wheel base

Flicker

Pros

extends "car" over the top of opponent
four-wheel drive

Cons

fairly complicated

Grabber

Pros

grabs the side of the ramp to prevent being pushed back
four-wheel drive

Cons

fairly complicated

Blocker

Pros

has a fence or backstop to thwart a flicker of a claw
active defense

Cons

adds weight and drag

Racer

Pros

very light and very fast
simple and reliable

Cons

easily pushed back

Claw

Pros

fairly simple
extends "car" over the top of opponent
four-wheel drive

Cons

extra weight

Four Wheel Drive

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Schoolwide Challenges

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Long-term projects spark the melding of bookwork learning, practical application and creative genius. The “Rube Goldberg Challenge” and “Hill Quest” projects typically run for a few weeks from the time students receive their kits to the concluding event. The projects are open ended and teachers can vary the amount of classroom time dedicated to the project. Students enthusiastically apply science learned in the classsroom to these creative endeavors.