Catapult Challenge
Welcome to your first challenge of the school year!
This challenge is based on the amusing event of PUNKiN’
CHUNKIN’.
Project: You will build a catapult that will “throw” a mini candy pumpkin. Your goal is
to have your pumpkin candy go the farthest distance.
Procedure:
1. Go to maggioengineering.com and find your class period. Click on your class
period, read the blog status, and open the word document.
2. The word document lists everything that you will need to print, do, and turn in for
your challenge grade.
3. All work will be completed on the word document and printed at the completion of
the project to be turned in.
4. This challenge will be turned in separately…no notebook work for this project.
Conclusion
1. We will be testing our designs after approximately a week of work
2. Pictures will need to be taken and included in the final project write-up
3. Write up, pictures, sketches, designs, etc will need to be put together in a folder to
turn in.
Procedure:
1. Watch Videos:
a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MHJvsXHLy0
b. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXuQvAPwcOE
c. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egZhg7v4NRs
Optional videos:
a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKQaTFfhwWo
b. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-q69jBchG8
2. Research: Search 3 different types of catapults and include
the following information
a. The physical appearance of each (explain this in words) on the attached
pages
b. Basically how each works (the physics)
c. 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages for each type of catapult
3. Decide on Design
a. Name the design to be used
b. Explain why you chose this design (at least 4 sentences)
c. List the materials needed for your design choice
4.Sketch
a. Sketch your design
b. Include measurements in inches
c. Include color
d. Use a ruler to sketch (no free-hand drawings)
5. Get your Design approved
a. Show Mrs. Maggio all of the above items as typed WORD documents (except
the sketch)
b. This assignment is to be turned in in separate folder…NOT in your notebook
this time.
6. Build
a. Create your catapult
b. Can be no larger than a shoebox
c. Must use school-appropriate materials
d. You may bring items from home
e. MUST build your catapult from scratch
7. Test/Compete
a. We will be testing our catapults out on the dirt field (dress appropriately)
b. We will begin by competing in small groups and moving to an overall winner.
c. The Winner will have proven that their design is:
i. Durable – has been able to compete multiple times with good results
ii. Built and assembled well – nothing falls apart while in use
iii. Capable of sending a projectile farther than anyone else
iv. Worthy of bragging rights and a small reward.
8. Conclusion: Complete the following items
a. Write-up:
i. What did you learn about the physics behind how your catapult
works? (4-5 sentences)
ii. What would you change about your catapult? (4-5 sentences)
iii. How can a device like a catapult be used in modern-day society? (4-5
sentences)
b. Pictures:
i. Take at least 2 pictures of your catapult and download them to your
computer
ii. Import these pictures into your write up
Research on Catapult 1: _________________________________________________
1. The physical appearance of the catapult:
2. The physics behind how the catapult works (4-5 sentences)
3. Two advantages for using this type of catapult:
4. Two disadvantages of using this type of catapult
Research on Catapult 2: _________________________________________________
1. The physical appearance of the catapult:
2. The physics behind how the catapult works (4-5 sentences)
3. Two advantages for using this type of catapult:
4. Two disadvantages of using this type of catapult
Research on Catapult 3: _________________________________________________
1. The physical appearance of the catapult:
2. The physics behind how the catapult works (4-5 sentences)
3. Two advantages for using this type of catapult:
4. Two disadvantages of using this type of catapult
Design Chosen: ______________________________
1. Why did you and your partner decide to go with this particular design of
catapult? (at least 4 sentences)
2. Please list the materials you think you will need for this project:
Sketch of catapult:
1. Must include measurements in inches
2. Must use a ruler (no free-hand drawings)
3. Must have color
Conclusion
1. What did you learn about the physics behind how your catapult works? (4-5
sentences)
2. What would you change about your catapult? (4-5 sentences)
3. How can a device like a catapult be used in modern-day society? (4-5 sentences)
Pictures:
1. Take at least 2 pictures of your catapult and download them to your computer
2. Import the pictures here
Catapult Trials
Attempt 1:
Attempt 2:
Attempt 3: