Catapult STEM Project
Currently, you are learning about energy and work in Physics. You have learned how energy is the ability to do work, and you have learned a little about potential energy. Catapults are machines that convert potential energy into kinetic energy.
Your Challenge:
From ancient times through current day, humans have launched objects through the air. There are masses of starving children over a high wall, and you need to build a catapult to deliver food to them! Your catapult must be able to deliver the food (a marshmallow) at least 6 feet. (Six feet is your baseline for passing...over 10 feet will help you get an A!)
Criteria for your catapult:
Constraints for the challenge:
Day 1: Brainstorm and Materials List DUE
Draw out brainstorm ideas and take a photo of your brainstorm ideas diagrams and upload it to your Seesaw Portfolio.
Upload your materials list to Seesaw...just the materials for the ONE design you and your partner have decided to create.
Day 2: Begin build
Start build with partner.
Complete video reflection and upload to your Seesaw Portfolio.
Day 3: Redesign
Finish build, do tests. Redesign if needed.
Complete video reflection for day 3 and upload to your Seesaw Portfolio.
Day 4: Testing
Test.
Video your tests and data and upload to your Seesaw Portfolio.
Complete Project Reflection
Your Challenge:
From ancient times through current day, humans have launched objects through the air. There are masses of starving children over a high wall, and you need to build a catapult to deliver food to them! Your catapult must be able to deliver the food (a marshmallow) at least 6 feet. (Six feet is your baseline for passing...over 10 feet will help you get an A!)
Criteria for your catapult:
- lighter, easier-to-carry catapults score higher than awkward, heavier ones
- freestanding catapults score higher than catapults that must be held down
- Launching must be initiated by a remote mechanism. (You can’t touch with your hands, but may pull, cut, push, etc. with another object.)
Constraints for the challenge:
- must use only the materials provided
- must complete each stage in the time allowed
- only three attempts are allowed, with the longest distance used for scoring
Day 1: Brainstorm and Materials List DUE
Draw out brainstorm ideas and take a photo of your brainstorm ideas diagrams and upload it to your Seesaw Portfolio.
Upload your materials list to Seesaw...just the materials for the ONE design you and your partner have decided to create.
Day 2: Begin build
Start build with partner.
Complete video reflection and upload to your Seesaw Portfolio.
Day 3: Redesign
Finish build, do tests. Redesign if needed.
Complete video reflection for day 3 and upload to your Seesaw Portfolio.
Day 4: Testing
Test.
Video your tests and data and upload to your Seesaw Portfolio.
Complete Project Reflection