Ridgefield third-graders make go-karts for science project

RIDGEFIELD – South Ridge Elementary School bought STEM kits that included axles and wheels for third-graders to learn about force and motion. Students had to find a piece of recycled material for the body of the go-kart and used items like tissue boxes and soda bottles. To start, students tested the cars by putting them down an inclined plane. Then they had to change the design to be self-propelled and later attached a clay figure to the car with a seat belt. Students recorded videos of their project and cheered along the homemade go-karts as they rolled down ramps, under furniture and across floors. “I was super proud of the efforts and imagination with this project. I feel that they truly understood the science concepts that were taught,” said teacher Jennifer Stinson.