Physics and the Pinewood Derby DVD Trailer

A movie trailer for a feature-length educational video about the pinewood derby races. It is designed to get kids interested in math and science through the pinewood derby and can be purchased at www.pinewoodphysics.com

Category:

Education

Tags:

• pinewood
• derby

[ArtisanTony]

So you are selling a video on how to win a pinewood derby. Something just doesn't sound right about this. It defies the spirit of scouting.

[jpswensen]

One of the reasons we made this video was because we were concerned that too many of the videos available simply told "what" to do. We thought it would be better to make a truly educational video, and that is what we did. There are plenty of "for-profit" companies that provide useful services to the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. We feel that the product which we provide (which took many, many hours to plan, film, and edit) is a wonderful tool to get kids interested in math and science.

[ArtisanTony]

I am a Webelos den leader and would never think of selling advice. Those who really care about scouting would never ask to be paid for anything we do. Its just tacky and goes against the spirit of scouting.

Anyone who would buy a video to gain an advantage is entering a pinewood derby for the wrong reasons. Winning is the goal but the point is to use your own knowledge to compete against other scouts.

[jpswensen]

And that is the point of our video: to help kids get interested in math and science and see how science can help build a fast pinewood derby car. We talk about potential and kinetic energy, friction, wind resistance, the scientific method, simulations, etc, etc. We talk about famous scientists like Newton and LaGrange.

You, of course, are entitled to your opinion, but I know that my council and district wouldn't run without the professional scouters and staff.

[parmamagoo]

Just watched the video, not only is this video a great resource for building a competitive derby car, but I found the physics lessons intertwined into the story and build out to be very entertaining.. Great Video and highly recommend...

[wheeliedart]

@jpswensen I agree, it could serve as an introduction to divergent and convergent thinking skills. I'd buy the vid even though my son lost only one round in his first derby. It was a bit frustrating actually, so many fathers were acting like it was a shiniest tool box contest and seemed to only utilize techniques and items that they had been impressed by.We were trying to help the others and they weren't impressed (yet) I suppose. A short primer from pinewoodphysics made the difference

[JosephWShaw]

@ArtisanTony And the absolute WORST thing about the derby is dads building the cars for their kids and buying parts off the internet. I help my kids with their cars, mostly with things involving dangers tools like saws, but I make them do the work that's age appropriate. My Tiger and Wolf will help with the design, paint and polishing of the wheels & axles. My Webelos II will build his own car completely from scratch.

[JosephWShaw]

@ArtisanTony There is a book officially sanctioned by the BSA that shows all the tips and tricks for winning the pinewood derby, and it's not free. And while that book gives lip service to why the tips work, this video actually educates the Scout & parent on how to build a great car by explaining the science behind it. I've used the Derby to teach my kids about physics since we entered our first one, and this video does the same for those parents who aren't geeks like me.

[roopr]

I'm a cubmaster for my pack and actually see nothing wrong with this video. Why? Because there are enough pre-made kits out there which in and of itself takes away from the spirit of father/mother n' son working together on a project. Some of the pre-made kits are actually approved by the BSA. This video not only teaches a scout to produce a winning car, but also teaches them math and physics. The spirit of scouting is teaching & learning as well as competition.

[cjmythrandir]

@TSADontTouchMyJunk being involved with scouting obviously takes some financial obligation. the point of that comment is to show that those who truly care about scouting are not in it to gain financial profit, but rather to allow others the opportunity to gain helpful knowledge and skills.

[anastasiafish]

@br54911

You suck. Why don't you get off you freakin high horse and accept that this is the coolest "science meets fun" idea you've ever seen. It saddens ME to hear a scout advocate making such negative comments toward someone who supports their cause. Besides, who are you to judge how anyone else is contributing to their society? Very disappointed in the negativity from a webelos leader toward something aiming to benefit his scouts. Have you even watched the dvd? It rocks...

[anastasiafish]

@br54911

You suck. Why don't you get off you freakin high horse and accept that this is the coolest "science meets fun" idea you've ever seen. It saddens ME to hear a scout advocate making such negative comments toward someone who supports their cause. Besides, who are you to judge how anyone else is contributing to their society? Very disappointed in the negativity from a webelos leader toward something aiming to benefit his scouts. Have you even watched the dvd? It rocks...

[TSADontTouchMyJunk]

"Those who really care about scouting would never ask to be paid for anything we do."

I didn't realize the boy scouts were free of charge.