Catapult fun - no teachers were harmed during the firing of the catapults!!!

Figure It Out Friday's challenge last week was to build two catapults. 

It was the first time we also used our new rooms as one large open space which worked brilliantly.

The Challenge

Design and build one or two catapults. Each catapult will undergo three different tests to determine accuracy and power. The team that gets the most points in all 3 tests combined wins.

Materials 

• Popsicle sticks

• Tape

• Cans

• Rubber bands

• Plastic spoons

Once students built their catapults, it was time to launch! There were three tests they needed to pass.

Station 1 - Accuracy Pompom balls and a bowl made-up this station. The bowl was in a set location. From a set distance, students  launched their pompoms. We recorded how many made it into the bowl out of 5 attempts.

Station 2 - Power A launch line was set up. Students launched 3 times per catapult and recorded the furthest distance using a measuring tape.

Station 3 - Tower A tower was built out of small plastic cups. Students used a heavier counter to knock over the tower. Points were scored based on how many cups fell.

So much fun to be had using so few basic items. Some groups managed to invent catapults that fired backwards and some even managed to launch straight up in the air like a rocket. 

As the weeks have progressed the children are so much better at testing a prototype, finding problems, making changes and retesting again - all important steps in the design process.