Bumper cars

High school (ages 12+)
Sports & Games

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/bumper-cars

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the ride classification?Flat amusement ride characterized by electrically powered vehicles designed for collision
2. What is the patenting date?The foundational patent for bumper cars was filed in 1921
3. What are bumper cars and why are they called different names?Bumper cars are electric cars that people drive in a special arena. They are also called dodgems, bumping cars, or dashing cars.
4. How do bumper cars get their electricity while moving?They use either a metal grid on the floor that the cars touch with brushes, or a long pole that reaches up to a metal mesh above the arena. Both give power to the car’s motor.

Amusement Ride: A mechanical device designed for entertainment, typically found in amusement parks and fairs.
Patent: A government grant that gives an inventor exclusive rights to an invention for a set period.
Conductive Collector: A component designed to draw electrical current from a power source, such as a brush or pole.
User Agency: The capacity of a user to actively influence and control their experience within a system or environment.