Discuss factors influencing accuracy, such as wind resistance. Investigate how changes in launch angle and force affect the accuracy of hitting the target. Set up a target and experiment with aiming techniques. Use projectiles with different shapes (e.g., spheres, cylinders, or irregular shapes) and observe how each type performs in terms of accuracy and distance. Test how the shape of the projectile affects its flight. Experiment with different rubber band lengths or thicknesses to observe changes in launch distance and speed. Investigate how adjusting the tension in the rubber band of the catapult affects its performance. Discuss the concept of mass and its impact on motion. Use different objects as projectiles (e.g., cotton balls, small balls of clay, or paper wads) and compare their launch distances. Test how the weight of the projectile influences the launch distance. Measure and record the distances to analyze the results. Set up targets at different distances and experiment with various launch angles. Launch AngleĮxplore how changing the launch angle of the catapult affects the distance the projectile travels. Here are several ideas for how to turn this fun catapult building activity into an experiment. Have your kids dig up a little history and research when the first catapults were invented and used! Hint check out the 17th century! When you release the stick, all that potential energy is released into energy in motion producing the projectile motion.Ī catapult is a simple machine that has been around for ages. You can talk about stored energy or potential elastic energy as you pull back on the Popsicle stick, bending it. Learn more about potential and kinetic energy. Gravity also does its part as it pulls the object back down to the ground. When you pull down the lever arm all that potential energy gets stored up! Release it and that potential energy gradually changes over to kinetic energy. Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion state that an object at rest stays at rest until a force is applied, and an object stays in motion until something creates an imbalance. You can also learn about projectile motion. What is there to explore that has to do with physics? Let’s start with energy including elastic potential energy. This is a great simple physics activity for kids of multiple ages. This type of project encourages critical thinking, experimentation, and the application of knowledge to solve a problem - all essential components of STEM education. Integrating technology, participants can use tools like rulers, protractors, or even digital devices to enhance the accuracy of their measurements and record observations.ĭiscuss real-world applications of catapult technology, such as historical siege engines or modern devices used in engineering and physics research.īy building a popsicle stick catapult, participants engage in a hands-on STEM activity that not only fosters creativity and teamwork but also provides a practical application of scientific and engineering principles. Analyzing the data allows them to draw conclusions about how changes in the design or launch parameters affect performance. This process involves testing, data collection, and analysis to find the most effective design.Īfter launching the projectiles, kids can measure and record the launch distances at different angles or with different weights. Kids can experiment with different designs, sizes, and materials to optimize the catapult’s performance. They also explore geometric principles when determining the launch angle and trajectory of the projectile. Kids use mathematical concepts to measure and cut popsicle sticks accurately. Kids must consider factors like stability, tension in the rubber band, and the angle of launch to optimize the catapult’s performance. Kids explore the mechanical aspects of how levers work and how the components of the catapult interact to achieve a specific function.ĭesigning and building a functional catapult requires problem-solving skills which is the engineering component. Learn more about how a catapult works below.Ĭreating a popsicle stick catapult uses technology as it involves designing a simple machine. These Popsicle stick catapults make a great STEM activity! Building a catapult involves understanding basic science concepts such as force, motion, and energy transfer.
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