Well, it was year two and we had so much fun last year we decided to pull out all the stops this year. Quick review: last year we built the car in a week. Well, we tried to and then ended up staying up till all hours when we realized we had done it wrong. Mr. Happiness was involved in all of it and the car was an excellent first attempt. It came in right in the middle of the pack. We observed the other cars and decided the next year we would give ourselves more time.
So this year we started six weeks out. We got our cars and one of the pack parents brought a band saw to meetings so we could cut. This was very kind and generous of him so we were the first ones to cut because we were ready with our designs (which the kids all picked and helped with drawing on their cars.). Now, obviously, an 8 year old cannot use a band saw. Last year he used the coping saw. This year he picked out a difficult design so we opted for the band saw to make it easier.
Once our cars were cut, we took them home and the kids sanded, I sanded, Dad sanded. We all sanded. They needed LOTS of sanding. I explained that to get a nice paint finish they needed to be smooth as glass. Lesson number one: Use varying grades of sand paper on wood to achieve a paintable surface.
Then the cars were ready for weights. We learned from our new Pinewood Derby book that tungsten weights are highly recommended and I remembered from last year that this part was hard. So, having plenty of time with book in hand, we followed the directions for adding the weights. Mr. Happiness drew the drill sights onto the car. We used the drill press to drill the holes. He learned how to help use it - he was not allowed to operate it alone.
We slipped the weights in and used putty to cover them. More sanding.
Finally, (because we had to order more weights b/c the stores were out), the cars were ready for primer. They were set aside while we prepared axles and wheels. Again, tools were used in this process and the kids learned about safety and use with a drill press, sander, wet/dry sand paper blocks, etc.
They also learned that patience is required for this kind of work, and the results will not appear overnight.
Once the axles and wheels were ready they were set aside and we spray painted the cars. This worked fine for the girls cars, but my boy's car got the last painting and the weather turned sour on us. It rained, was foggy, and rained some more. His paint kept peeling up and we had to re-sand to the base 4 times. He was pretty frustrated as was I. Finally, we got it to an acceptable condition by using a different kind of paint. It still was not what we'd hoped for.
But we accept all as part of the process and move along. My boy and I get his wheels on at the last minute and are ready to go. We are all excited and proud of our work.
When we arrived at the derby we ran the cars down the track and they looked good, Big Girl's especially ran well. We weighed, checked in, and waited for the races to start. We visited with friends, laughed, chatted. It was fun just to be there. As the cars came in each had a special story behind it.
Finally the races began. Our cars did well. Better than most. My boy's car won his first race. Sweet. Then they re-ran the race and he got second. Then second again, and again. He was clearly bummed. I felt for him. When you've spent six weeks on your car you have high hopes. We promised to praise God if we won or lost, but for an 8 year old this is a challenge. I was proud though - he pulled himself together in the shadow of Big Girl's clean sweep.
Comments were made about how some parents gave their child the box and said, "Go make your car." When I heard this I thought to myself that that is unfair. This is not an easy thing to build if you are 6, 7, 8 years old. Several cars fell apart on the track and others didn't finish the race.
There is a fine line between "helping" the child and doing the work yourself. The child must do as much as they can. And in our house, we use every moment as a teachable moment. My kids learned about power tools, the sanding process, and about potential energy and force and drag. They can tell you why some cars won and others didn't. They can tell you why some cars sped up on the flat part of the track while others slowed down. Friction is a word we discussed.
This event is fun. Even when parents make comments about how you must have just built all these cars yourself without letting the kids do much - it's fun because we just smile and know better. This event offers much in the way of learning in science and physics. Those things will not happen if you toss the box to your child and say, "Go put this together." My heart went out to every child whose car broke on the track or couldn't get past the finish line. Parents, I get that this is for the kids and that the focus is not all about winning, but is called a "race" for a reason.
"Set time aside to do it right, or don't do it at all." - My Mother.
What's that Scout motto again? Oh yeah, "BE PREPARED!"
So this year we started six weeks out. We got our cars and one of the pack parents brought a band saw to meetings so we could cut. This was very kind and generous of him so we were the first ones to cut because we were ready with our designs (which the kids all picked and helped with drawing on their cars.). Now, obviously, an 8 year old cannot use a band saw. Last year he used the coping saw. This year he picked out a difficult design so we opted for the band saw to make it easier.
Once our cars were cut, we took them home and the kids sanded, I sanded, Dad sanded. We all sanded. They needed LOTS of sanding. I explained that to get a nice paint finish they needed to be smooth as glass. Lesson number one: Use varying grades of sand paper on wood to achieve a paintable surface.
Then the cars were ready for weights. We learned from our new Pinewood Derby book that tungsten weights are highly recommended and I remembered from last year that this part was hard. So, having plenty of time with book in hand, we followed the directions for adding the weights. Mr. Happiness drew the drill sights onto the car. We used the drill press to drill the holes. He learned how to help use it - he was not allowed to operate it alone.
We slipped the weights in and used putty to cover them. More sanding.
Finally, (because we had to order more weights b/c the stores were out), the cars were ready for primer. They were set aside while we prepared axles and wheels. Again, tools were used in this process and the kids learned about safety and use with a drill press, sander, wet/dry sand paper blocks, etc.
They also learned that patience is required for this kind of work, and the results will not appear overnight.
Once the axles and wheels were ready they were set aside and we spray painted the cars. This worked fine for the girls cars, but my boy's car got the last painting and the weather turned sour on us. It rained, was foggy, and rained some more. His paint kept peeling up and we had to re-sand to the base 4 times. He was pretty frustrated as was I. Finally, we got it to an acceptable condition by using a different kind of paint. It still was not what we'd hoped for.
But we accept all as part of the process and move along. My boy and I get his wheels on at the last minute and are ready to go. We are all excited and proud of our work.
When we arrived at the derby we ran the cars down the track and they looked good, Big Girl's especially ran well. We weighed, checked in, and waited for the races to start. We visited with friends, laughed, chatted. It was fun just to be there. As the cars came in each had a special story behind it.
Finally the races began. Our cars did well. Better than most. My boy's car won his first race. Sweet. Then they re-ran the race and he got second. Then second again, and again. He was clearly bummed. I felt for him. When you've spent six weeks on your car you have high hopes. We promised to praise God if we won or lost, but for an 8 year old this is a challenge. I was proud though - he pulled himself together in the shadow of Big Girl's clean sweep.
Comments were made about how some parents gave their child the box and said, "Go make your car." When I heard this I thought to myself that that is unfair. This is not an easy thing to build if you are 6, 7, 8 years old. Several cars fell apart on the track and others didn't finish the race.
There is a fine line between "helping" the child and doing the work yourself. The child must do as much as they can. And in our house, we use every moment as a teachable moment. My kids learned about power tools, the sanding process, and about potential energy and force and drag. They can tell you why some cars won and others didn't. They can tell you why some cars sped up on the flat part of the track while others slowed down. Friction is a word we discussed.
This event is fun. Even when parents make comments about how you must have just built all these cars yourself without letting the kids do much - it's fun because we just smile and know better. This event offers much in the way of learning in science and physics. Those things will not happen if you toss the box to your child and say, "Go put this together." My heart went out to every child whose car broke on the track or couldn't get past the finish line. Parents, I get that this is for the kids and that the focus is not all about winning, but is called a "race" for a reason.
"Set time aside to do it right, or don't do it at all." - My Mother.
What's that Scout motto again? Oh yeah, "BE PREPARED!"
