Manufacturing
Team Members:
Trebuchet / Catapult Project
Team Name:
The “Egg”
Launch
Project
Project: Students are to construct a “working” trebuchet or catapult using any
materials from home. No food, fireworks or liquid may be used. Check your
materials with Mr. Shepard before beginning construction. The trebuchet or
catapult is to be of an ancient, medieval design.
Objective: Students will compete; using their trebuchets or catapult, in a contest to
determine which team can hurl a “large” grade A egg the farthest and most
accurately.
Ye Old Rules & Regulations:
1. The trebuchet or catapult will launch an egg provided by the instructor.
2. The trebuchet or catapult must be no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet by 5 feet. Any
larger projects will be disqualified.
3. The trebuchet or catapult can be as small as you like.
4. The trebuchet or catapult must be constructed out of approved materials only.
5. No springs may be used.
6. The instructor, before any construction, must approve a materials list and sketch.
7. The sketch must contain all pertinent measurements.
8. You must provide all of your own materials.
9. The trebuchet or catapult must be free standing and safely launch the projectile.
10. A remote triggering device must be incorporated into the trebuchet or catapult.
11.The instructor may disqualify any trebuchet or catapult or team for safety concerns.
12.All participants will wear safety goggles while testing and launching their
trebuchet or catapult. Failure to do so will result in failure of the team’s project.
Trebuchet Contest
Shepard
Page 1
Ye Old Quick & Easy Trebuchet or Catapult Report:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Cover page with team members name and name of team.
Approved diagram or sketch with all measurements labeled.
The five W’s and how for your teams trebuchet or catapult works.
Research on how a trebuchet or catapult works (in your own words).
Test results.
Proper footnotes and/or citations. Plagiarism will result in an “F” for the team.
The Final Duel, “Displacement”:
1. On January 31, 2007, the trebuchets or catapults will duel it out for first place.
2. Measuring straight-line distance from the front of the trebuchet or catapult to the
impact point of the “test-egg” will determine the scoring distance.
3. Each team will have three attempts to achieve their farthest “fling.”
4. There will be no more than two minutes between each team’s successive “fling.”
5. The following criteria will be used for scoring:
a. F = Farthest distance achieved for one fling (feet)
b. S = Size of trebuchet (cubic feet)
c. C = Cost of trebuchet (dollars & cents)
d. A = Accuracy of launch
6. In the event of a tie, the team whose trebuchet or catapult launched the “test-egg”
the farthest will win.
7. All participants will wear safety goggles while testing and launching their
trebuchet.
Trebuchet Contest
Shepard
Page 2
Mr. Shepard
Manufacturing
Launch Lab
Scoring Rubric 2009
Team Name:
Team Members:
Judges:
Data
%
Trigger Mechanism Present:
Distance
Deviation
Accuracy:
Accuracy:
Accuracy:
Size:
Cost:
Reference Table
Criteria
%
%
%
Total Percent
Cost
$20 or more
(0 % )
45 ft3
( 10 % )
$10 - $20
(7 % )
30 ft3
( 30 % )
Less Than $10
(10 %)
Less than 15 ft3
10%
Size
30%
( 35 % )
Accuracy
(See Grid)
Trigger Mechanism
See Grid
Has One
( 10 % )
See Grid
Doesn’t Have
One – Not Tested
(0%)
See Grid
50%
10%
NOTE: All materials used in catapult construction must be pre-approved by
instructor prior to being used. No exceptions!
Trebuchet Contest
Shepard
Page 3
Grid Scoring System
Distance Traveled
1-2 m
3-4 m
5-6 m
7-8 m
9-10 m
Above 10 m
Percentage
5
10
15
20
25
Additional 5 % for every 5 meters
Deviation
10°
20°
30°
40°
50°
Above 50°
Percentage
25
20
15
10
5
0
Trebuchet Contest
Shepard
Page 4