Balloon Cars by Dr. Gwen Bryan, Research Scientist, IHMC

November 22, 2025

The November Science Saturday session was led by Jared Lee, a research scientist in IHMC’s robotics lab. Students built their own cars using recycled plastic water bottles, bottle-cap wheels, and axles made from wooden skewers and drinking straws. Smoothie straws were used to attach and inflate the balloons that powered each vehicle. Participants explored key engineering concepts that influence how four-wheeled vehicles are designed and how they perform. The highlight came when students raced their cars and used what they observed to refine and improve their designs.