On April 11 we held our annual ‘Mousetrap Race’, where the Mensa is transformed into a race track for S3 Integrated Science students to put their learning on the ‘Work and Machines’ unit to the test.
This hands-on project tasks students to design and build a car powered solely by the energy stored in a standard mousetrap. No batteries, no motors: just the application of knowledge and physics in motion.
Working in teams and drawing on the principles of the technical design cycle, students considered factors like energy transfer, friction, weight distribution, and wheel alignment, all while staying within a modest €10 budget and adhering to the strict rule: no energy source but the mousetrap itself. Each team had two chances to launch their car along a straight track, and the distances were carefully measured to determine the winner.
This annual tradition is more than just a race; it’s a celebration of applied science, creativity, and teamwork. A huge congratulations goes to this year’s winner, and to all participants who demonstrated their learning through a specialised report and logbook. We are so impressed by your efforts and ingenuity!
A huge thank you to the Science Department for organising yet another outstanding Mousetrap Car Race. Their dedication to practical and innovative learning continues to bring out the best in our students.
