1
edit
Pinewood Derby: Difference between revisions
From ScoutWiki, For Everyone, Everywhere involved with Scouting and Guiding...
Added a sentence about the increased use of oil as a lubricant in pinewood derby.
No edit summary |
(Added a sentence about the increased use of oil as a lubricant in pinewood derby.) |
||
| (4 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:Racetrack2019a1.jpg|thumb]] | |||
'''Pinewood derby''' is a racing event for unpowered, unmanned miniature cars. Pinewood derbies are often run by chapters (packs) of the [[Cub Scouts]] program of [[Boy Scouts of America]]. With the help of adults, Scouts build their own cars from wood, usually from kits containing a block of pine wood, plastic wheels, and metal axles. With the popularity of the pinewood derby, other organizations have developed similar events, and a small industry has developed to provide organizer equipment (e.g. tracks, timers, and scales) and awards (e.g. trophies and ribbons). Similar Cub Scouting events include the [[Raingutter Regatta]] (a race for miniature boats) and the [[Space Derby]] (a race for rubber band-driven propeller shuttles). | '''Pinewood derby''' is a racing event for unpowered, unmanned miniature cars. Pinewood derbies are often run by chapters (packs) of the [[Cub Scouts]] program of [[Boy Scouts of America]]. With the help of adults, Scouts build their own cars from wood, usually from kits containing a block of pine wood, plastic wheels, and metal axles. With the popularity of the pinewood derby, other organizations have developed similar events, and a small industry has developed to provide organizer equipment (e.g. tracks, timers, and scales) and awards (e.g. trophies and ribbons). Similar Cub Scouting events include the [[Raingutter Regatta]] (a race for miniature boats) and the [[Space Derby]] (a race for rubber band-driven propeller shuttles). | ||
== STEAM EVENT == | |||
* '''[[STEAM]] - Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics''' | * '''[[STEAM]] - Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics''' | ||
One of the reasons for extreme scouting popularity of Pinewood Derby (along with its brother events Raingutter Regetta and Spacewood Derby) is it's masterful combination of all five elements of STEAM education into a very fun event that involves the whole family. | |||
Every cub pack is strongly encouraged to hold one of these events at least. Older units of Scouts, Crews and Ships are encouraged to find a creative way to so something more advanced. | |||
* '''Science:''' - Three race events a are beautiful yet simple demonstration of some important elements of some common physical sciences such as gravity, friction, physics, wind, water, and rubber elasticity. | |||
* '''Technology:''' - Scouts get to see first hand the technology used to create the racetrack. Another example is watching a race judge use the "Slo-Mo" feature of his iPhone to determine the race finisher. | |||
* '''Engineering:''' - Scouts are hands on in designing and building their own racecar, raceboat, or raceship. | |||
* '''Arts:''' - Scouts can paint custom artwork for their racer. Additionally, they can assist with refreshments and decorations for the Derby. | |||
* '''Mathematics:''' - Begin each Derby with a challenge for the scouts to solve the following math problem: "If our racetrack is forty feet long, with the start gate elevated about 5 feet to a 10 degree angle, and the speed of gravity is 32.2 feet per second, whose car will finish first and how fast will it go? | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
| Line 33: | Line 45: | ||
Another consideration is the track itself. A track that is mostly sloping, with little flat at the end, can allow cars with minimal mass in their wheels to shine. However, a track with a steep slope and then a long flat section can penalize such cars due to the quick loss of energy they experience once they have reached the bottom, when all potential energy has been transferred to kinetic and rotational energy. Such cars will take a lead on the downslope, but may be passed by cars with more energy "stored" away as rotational energy on the flat.<ref name=cowley/> | Another consideration is the track itself. A track that is mostly sloping, with little flat at the end, can allow cars with minimal mass in their wheels to shine. However, a track with a steep slope and then a long flat section can penalize such cars due to the quick loss of energy they experience once they have reached the bottom, when all potential energy has been transferred to kinetic and rotational energy. Such cars will take a lead on the downslope, but may be passed by cars with more energy "stored" away as rotational energy on the flat.<ref name=cowley/> | ||
A proper lubricant, typically [[graphite]] powder, is essential. [[Wheel alignment]] is important both to minimize wheel contact with the axle head and body as well as to limit the contact between the wheels and guide rail as the car travels down the track. There are 32 friction causing surfaces on a pinewood derby car. These include the surfaces of all four wheels which touch either the axle, the body or the track and the surfaces of all four axles which touch the wheel. Neglecting to polish and lubricate any of these 32 surfaces will result in degraded performance. The [[center of mass]] of a typical car is low and slightly ahead of the rear axle, which helps the car track straight as well as providing a slight advantage due to the additional gravitational potential energy.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.maximum-velocity.com/free-speed-tips/ |title= Five Keys to Pine Derby Performance |work= Maximum Velocity |accessdate= September 26, 2008}}</ref> | A proper lubricant, typically [[graphite]] powder, is essential. However, oil has been an increasingly popular lubrication option in recent years as it is typically cleaner and faster than graphite.<ref>[https://www.turboderby.com/post/pinewood-derby-car-lubrication "Pinewood Derby Car Lubrication"] Turbo Derby. Retrieved September 20, 2023</ref> [[Wheel alignment]] is important both to minimize wheel contact with the axle head and body as well as to limit the contact between the wheels and guide rail as the car travels down the track. There are 32 friction causing surfaces on a pinewood derby car. These include the surfaces of all four wheels which touch either the axle, the body or the track and the surfaces of all four axles which touch the wheel. Neglecting to polish and lubricate any of these 32 surfaces will result in degraded performance. The [[center of mass]] of a typical car is low and slightly ahead of the rear axle, which helps the car track straight as well as providing a slight advantage due to the additional gravitational potential energy.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.maximum-velocity.com/free-speed-tips/ |title= Five Keys to Pine Derby Performance |work= Maximum Velocity |accessdate= September 26, 2008}}</ref> | ||
== Event Planning == | == Event Planning == | ||
[[File:Racetrack2019a2.jpg|thumb]] | |||
The Pinewood Derby Pack Meeting, is one of the most extraordinary events of the program year for most Cub Scout packs. It incorporates all five elements of [[STEAM]] (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). In addition to the race itself, the pinewood derby features the following activities: | The Pinewood Derby Pack Meeting, is one of the most extraordinary events of the program year for most Cub Scout packs. It incorporates all five elements of [[STEAM]] (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). In addition to the race itself, the pinewood derby features the following activities: | ||
| Line 79: | Line 92: | ||
[[Category:Toy cars and trucks]] | [[Category:Toy cars and trucks]] | ||
[[Category:Wooden toys]] | [[Category:Wooden toys]] | ||
[[nl:Pinewood_Derby_Race]] | |||
