Coming to the Summer Party June 2025
Pinewood Derby
Lille
Coming June 14th
In the spirit of continuing to teach our children items and ideas around STREAM concepts outside of the school's normal curriculum, we aim to create activities that drive learning and exploration ahead in fun, interesting, engaging and creative ways.
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A Pinewood Derby is an event we hope accomplishes all of the above!
What is a Pinewood Derby?
Pinewood Derby is a small wooden model car race created by a dad who wanted to do a car-building activity with his young son. It was started in 1953, and since then, almost 100 million cars have been built and raced in the US.
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Teams consist of primary-aged children (M&P sections) and a parent or older sibling. The children build a car out of a small piece of wood and race it down a 10-meter track using only the power of gravity.
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The Car
The car is built out of a piece of pinewood that is sold in a special kit.
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You can find the link to buy a kit on Amazon here: https://shorturl.at/MqgCw
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Be sure to order well in advance to assure the kit will arrive on time. Alternative wood, axles or wheels are not accepted in order to maintain fairness.
A great chance to spend quality time with family and friends learning and creating
The Competitions
1
Fastest Car
Each car will get 3 races, one on each lane. ​
The semi-final will be the fastest 15 cars from the original race-off.​
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The final will be the 3 fastest cars from the semi-final. They will race against each other for the championship.
2
Best Design
This competition is voted by the audience. Its simple: What is the car that the audience thinks is the best design...
3
Most Creative Design
This is the final category. Which car has the most creative design. Again this is voted by the audience.
Car Build Rules
1. Final width shall not exceed 70mm.
2. Final length shall not exceed 170mm.
3. Final weight shall not exceed 142 grams.
4. Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit.
5. Special wood, wheels or axles not in the kit are prohibited.
6. Wheel bearings, washers between the car body and wheel, and bushings are prohibited.
7.No lubricating oil may be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite.
8. The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.
9. The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.
10. No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car.
11. The car must have 4 wheels attached to the sides
12. Weight can be added using only euro coins, washers and fishing weights…
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Note 1 Parents should be cautious if working with lead fishing weights.
Note 2: The track surface will be wood and will be approximately 10 meters long with a starting height of approximately 80-90cm..
A Word of Caution
This is a competition between primary age kids...NOT the Parents of primary age kids...​So, please make sure your children have the ideas and do the work to create and learn....and parents should learn alongside them, and support them in their undertaking....but not DO for them...
The Day and Location
The race will happen at the EELM at the summer party!
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We have 72 open spaces.
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​Each racer will be given a racing time-slot the week before raceday. Be sure not to miss your slot!
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On raceday, cars will be on display for everyone to vote on best design and most unique design!
Trophies for all competitions will be awarded at the end of the day...
Registration will be opened soon!
"“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of parents.”