Students of SV High School Technology Teacher Nick Oetinger recently showed off a multitude of skills for a series of car races. These CO2 cars, made of wood and propelled along a string line by a carbon dioxide canister, introduced students to a number of different and useful concepts.

The project assignment called for students to design and build a CO2 car to race against their peers, with the objective being to create the fastest CO2 car possible while considering aerodynamics and weight.

"The whole premise of the project was teaching students about aerodynamics while also getting them comfortable with the tools and machines in the wood shop," Oetinger said. "Students started with an 8" long block of wood and were able to use belt sanders, oscillating spindle sanders, files, band saws, scroll saws, jig saws and the drill press to cut out their vehicles. They then were able to paint them anyway they wanted. The faculty is going to vote on which they think the best design is."

The students also designed their own front wheels for their cars using a 3D Modeling program called Autodesk Inventor. Oetinger then 3D printed a pair of each of the wheels for the students to put on their cars.

Then...it was off to the races! (PICTURES HERE)

"We set up a "March Madness" bracket for each class to crown a winner. After all three winners are crowned we're going to have a race off to see who has the best car at SV," said Oetinger.