Yeast Racers™: Turn fermentation into motion

Can living yeast power a car? Find out with the Yeast Racers™ Kit!

Feed yeast sugar and warm water, then watch as fermentation produces carbon dioxide gas. Capture that gas to power a miniature car and see biotechnology in motion.

Working with a group or class? Turn it into a race and see whose car travels the farthest. Learners can also test how variables such as temperature, sugar source, or fermentation time affect the results.

Along the way, explore how microorganisms convert sugars into useful products and discover how fermentation connects to agriculture, food production, biomanufacturing, and the bioeconomy.

It’s a fun, visible, hands-on way to bring biology, agricultural science, and engineering together.

For this one-day science project, you will:

1. learn about the fermentation process and its applications.
2. activate yeast.
3. visualize the release of the gas created by the yeast by filling up a balloon,
4. see how the products from microorganisms can be utilized by using the inflated balloons to power and propel a car

This kit comes with the all scientific supplies you need to complete the experiment. You will need to provide some common materials from your home/school to complete the experience: tape, water and scissors.

• The Individual-size kit comes with enough supplies to run the experiment once.

• The group-size kit comes with enough supplies to run the experiment eight times (enough for eight groups of students).

You need to provide:
• Tape
• 150 mL Room temperature water (per car experiment)
• Scissors
• Measuring cup or the like to measure 150 mL of water
• Tupperware or a bowl (used for a warm water bath)

No necessary laboratory equipment is required.

Cleaning and safety supplies are not included in the kit. Cleaning supplies you will need include paper towels and a spray cleaner you have that's suitable for your surfaces. None of the components included in this kit require any special cleaning methods.

For this kit which doesn't include living organisms gloves can be worn but are not required. Wearing gloves is a great scientific habit to take, and can be fun to do but there is no issue with not wearing any.

If you want gloves, you can add a Mini Safety Set to your kit which includes gloves and a reusable plastic apron to protect your clothes.

For more information about safety, set up and clean up, you can have a look at the instruction manual for the experiment linked in the Ressources section below.

Shipping Times

Experiment kits are shipped 1-10 working days after you place your order. If you require yours for a specific date or event, please contact us before or with your order # so that we can try to make it happen for you! ☺︎ 

Storage

This experiment kit can be stored at room temperature (out of direct sunlight).

For any questions, don't hesistate to reach out to us - contact us