Re: Science help (pasta car)

Hi Max, you want to know how to make a car using dry pasta products? (I
think that is what you are asking.) The following ideas might be useful.
Make sure to ask your parents before doing any of this. They might even
like to help you.

Here is a company that sells tons of pasta. They ****p it by the
truckload. Go to the web site, find the link for "contact" and e-mail
them telling what you are doing. Ask for advice and help on how to do
your project.

http://www.aipc.com/

It might help if you first pick the type of car you want to make. Since
you are using pasta (Italian) you might want to make an Italian car. If
this is what you decide check out the makes and models on this web site:
http://www.autozine.org/Manufacturer/Italy.htm
Some of the best cars in the world are made in Italy. Many of these
Italian cars, especially the fast s****ts cars are expensive. If you find
something that interests you, e-mail the company and tell them you want
to build a pasta model of one of their cars. Ask for their advice.  

Another way to get the information you are looking for would be to check
the advertizing pages (yellow pages) in your local phone book or
classified ads in a local newspaper. Find companies that sell the type
of car you want to build. Tell them about your science assignment and
ask for advice and information.

Since your project is in science you might consider selecting a type of
car that uses an alternative fuel. Cars with diesel engines can
sometimes use fuel made from vegetable oils such as olive oil(Italian)
or soybean oil (American).

This Italian car has a diesel engine: 
http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/fiat-grande-punto-1.3-multijet-diesel-1005052.html
If you write ask them if the car could use Olive oil as a fuel.

More stuff about alternative fuels can be found here:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/altfuel/bio_market.html
Many people want to promote the use of alternate fuels because it is
believed that these fuels help to lower pollution and that they save our
environment from damage.

For information about doing specific science projects your local public
library can help. Most libraries keep such information in special areas
in the library and librarians know just where to find it. Ask them.

Don't forget to ask for permission from your parents. Good luck with
your assignment, it sounds like fun!

Paul Massey
Amateur Scientist