Catapult Design & Engineering Challenge
Design Assessment
Name:
1. Define the Problem.
Construct a catapult that propels a ping-pong ball
1.5 meters horizontally in the air.
Teacher:_______________
Period:________________
Attach copies of Noodletools
Bibliography for three sources
2. Research the Problem. (6pts)
(6 points), MLA style
Research three sources. Sources can be a website. Cite using
a URL number. Record the useful data obtained below. Focus
Use at least two sources from our
on design, structure and performance. Include a sketch for each.
links.
Attach a sheet of paper if more space is needed. Label extra
paper: step 2, and the appropriate resource number.
Notice p.3 step 5 Specifications.
Resource 1
Notes:
Resource 2
Notes:
Citation(URL):
Physics 8 Final Project
Physics catapult design challenge 6.2015
Citation(URL):
Resource 3
Notes:
Citation(URL):
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Catapult Design & Engineering Challenge
Design Assessment
3. Create Three Possible Solutions. Sketch them in grid below. (6pts)
Design 1
Include:
dimensions,
heights,
materials for
each design grid.
Design 2
Design 3
Physics 8 Final Project
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Catapult Design & Engineering Challenge
Design Assessment
Names of Partners:
4. Choose the Best Solution or Create a Combination of Best Ideas
Best Design (5pts)
1._________________
2. _________________
3. _________________
Group No. ________
(5-2: Period 5, Group 2)
Teacher:
___________________
Period: _______
How did you create your Best Design? Did you choose one or make a combination
of designs. Explain your reasoning. (10pts)
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o Performance Assessment: Teacher Check Point to be completed the last day. Showing
the ping pong ball thrown 1.5m ________(5 points)
5. Create a Prototype (the first kind) using the materials supplied: See specifications
below.
Specifications (necessary traits):




Total mass should not exceed 750 g (balances will be provided)
Make use of a trigger mechanism during launch. Example: Pull back arm, attach a
string, then cut.
Limit supplies to those obtained from the teacher: white glue, popsicle sticks, string,
notebook paper or index paper.
Launch a ping-pong ball horizontally a minimum distance of 1.5 meters.
Physics 8 Final Project
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Catapult Design & Engineering Challenge
Design Assessment
5. Performance Testing:
Run three preliminary trials before your Performance Assessment.
Select data to collect average speed. Calculate your answers to the nearest 0.01 place. Use this
data to help with the Redesign step below.
𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒆𝒅 =
𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
Data Collection Table - for Preliminary Results (10pts)
Distance
(meters)
Time
(seconds)
Average Speed (meters/second)
Please show ESA in the boxes below.
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Physics 8 Final Project
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Catapult Design & Engineering Challenge
Design Assessment
6. Analyzing and Redesigning:
a) What changes can be made on the catapult to increase the average speed of the ping
pong ball? (identify specific parts) (10pts)
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b) If you were going to manufacture your catapult, the cost of materials could be a
limiting factor to your profit. How would you redesign the catapult to decrease the
amount of materials used, while still keeping the same design and performance? Have
a topic sentence, 3 supporting details and a closing sentence. (20pts)
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Physics 8 Final Project
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Catapult Design & Engineering Challenge
Design Assessment
c) Design a new catapult that launches a bowling ball instead of a ping pong ball using
common materials. Example: wood, steel, cable.
Material list: include kind and dimensions of material. (5pts)
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d) Sketch the new catapult that launches a bowling ball. Include the dimensions and
materials in the sketch area below. (17pts)
Physics 8 Final Project
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