STEM Education Series
Saltwater Car Kit
No gas, no batteries, just salt water! This car runs on a saltwater fuel cell. Mix the included salt with water, add a few drops to the fuel cell, and the motor starts as the chemical reaction produces electricity. When the car slows down, more drops send it back on the move. With no fuel to burn, it is a hands-on look at the clean energy technologies engineers are exploring for the future of transportation.
Saltwater Car Kit
The Big Idea
Chemical reactions can produce electrical energy that powers devices.
- Ages
- 10+Adult supervision required.
- Chemistry
- Renewable Energy
- Engineering
- Measurement
Safety
- Contains small parts. Not suitable for children under 3.
- Adult supervision required.
What’s in the Kit
- All materials to build one Saltwater Car
- Full color, step-by-step instructions
What you add
- Water
Real-world connection
Can Salt Water Really Power a Car?
Scientists and engineers are always looking for new ways to power transportation, and fuel cells are one promising answer. Instead of burning fuel, they produce electricity through a chemical reaction. In a saltwater fuel cell, dissolved salt forms electrolytes that let charged particles move between the plates, creating an electric current with no combustion at all. The same basic science also powers submarines, spacecraft, and emergency backup power systems.
For classrooms
The Saltwater Car Kit is a great fit for classrooms, after-school programs, and camps. Each kit builds one car and arrives individually packaged with all materials and instructions included.
Purchasing for your school or program? Request a quote.