Catapult - Preliminary: Marshmallow Launch
Purpose:
Using marshmallows and a plastic spoons and protractors, students will test the
flexibility and projection capabilities of a simple catapult design given variable
angles of release and stored energy of the plastic spoons.
TASKS:
Collect a copy of the Catapult Marshmallow Launch Directions
Collect a copy of the Catapult Deflection Angle Results
Collect the materials specified in the directions
Follow the directions as indicated
Due: Day of Activity
Value: 60 points
Catapult - Task 1: Research and Data Collection
Purpose:
Research existing and historical catapult designs and their uses
TASKS:
Catapult 1a:
 Collect a copy of the introductory "Background" document
about catapults
 As you read the document, follow the directions as indicated
on the document, including the Connections question at the
bottom of the document.
 Due: Day of activity
 Value: 100 points
Catapult 1b:
 Research the history of catapults: their uses and designs
 Locate and read at least five (5) sites
 Gather information from each of the sites
 Create a spreadsheet of your selected sites that includes at
least the following information:
 Open and save an Excel document as "catapults" in
your "daily" folder
 Include your name, class, and date at the top
left
 Title your document "Catapults"
 Ask for any help you may need in setting up
your spreadsheet
 Web Site title
 Web Site address
 Description of the site
 List of the types/categories of catapults covered on
that site
 Use or purpose of the types of catapults covered on
that site
Submit your document for grade
Due: Day 66, Friday, April 24
Value: 250 points
Catapult 1c:
 Create a file of at least five (5) related images that illustrate
catapult designs
 Open and save a PowerPoint document as "catapults"
in your "daily" folder
 Title your document "Catapults"
 Include your name, class, and date as the subtitle on the first slide
 Ask for any help you may need in setting up
your spreadsheet
 Place your images on the following slides - using at
least five slides
 Include the source of your image
 Describe the design and its use
 Submit your document for grade
 Due: Day 67, Monday, April 27
 Value: 200 points
Catapult - Task 2: Written Proposal & Report
Purpose:
Create a written proposal of your project
Create a written paper about your topic
TASKS:
Catapult 2a:
 Determine a type of catapult you want to create
 Determine a topic area for your written paper
 Write both items on a paper and present it to your teacher
for approval
 When you have obtained approval, you may continue to the
next task
 Due: Day 68, Tuesday, April 28
 Value: 80 points
Catapult 2b: Extra Credit
 Using your research from Task 1, create a written report
about catapults
 Open and save a Word document as "catapult-report"
in your "daily" folder
 Use the topic you got approval for in task 2a
 Your report must contain the following sections:
 A description of your product topic
 What you found on the web about your topic
 Other sources of research you used and the results of
that search
 What you learned from your web search
 Any further research you plan to conduct to be able to
create you product
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Materials and resources you plan to use
 what you have on hand
 how you plan to obtain further resources
 Your anticipated success outcome of your project
 The report must be typed, according to MLA standards
 Submit your report for grade
 Due: Day 68, Tuesday, April 28
 Value:
 Technical Structure
 Grammar and Language: 50 points
 Format: 50 points
 Critical Thinking:
 Comprehension: 100 points
 Communication of Ideas: 100 points
 Total Points Possible: 300 points extra credit
Catapult 2b:
 Sample Research Segments for your Report
Catapult - Task 3: Sketch of Your Product
Purpose:
Create a sketch of your proposed product
TASKS:
Create a sketch of the catapult you intend to create
Show your sketch to your teacher for approval and
recommendations
You MUST complete this step before you can go on to the following
tasks
Due: Day 69, Wednesday, April 29
Value:
 Design: 80 points
 Workability: 80 points
 Overall Concept: 80 points
 Total Points Possible: 240 points
Catapult - Task 4: Working Drawings
Purpose:
Create a full set of working drawings for your project
TASKS:
Create a full set of working drawings for your project
You must draw all of the component parts and views of your
catapult
All drawings must be dimensioned, to scale, and include
appropriate notations
Draftsmanship and completion will be graded heavily
Show your copies to your teacher for grade
Due: Day 73, Tuesday, May 5
Value:
 Design: 100 points
 Craftsmanship: 150 points
 Overall Concept: 100 points
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Completion and details: 100 points
Total Points Possible: 450 points
 s that incorporate input, process, outcome, and feedback
components.
 5.3 Use critical thinking skills to make informed decisions and solve
problems.
Catapult - Task 5: Work Flow Plan
Purpose:
Develop a Work Flow Plan for your project
TASKS:
Catapult 5a:
 Open and save a Word Document as "catapult-work-flow" in
your "daily" folder
 Formulate an explanation of how or why your design will
work
 Compile a materials list for your chair/catapult/bridge
 The materials will be limited to what you can obtain on
your own outside of the classroom
 No materials will be supplied by the class.
 Compile a list of equipment necessary to complete the
project
 Develop a plan of procedure for how you will construct the
chair/catapult/bridge
 Print a draft copy and Obtain approval of your plan from the
teacher
 Submit a final copy for grade
 Due: Day 68, Tuesday, April 28
 Value: 300 points
Catapult 5b:
 Create a Work Flow Diagram
 Indicate the component parts of your Plan in a graphic layout
 Check the Sample Work Flow Chart for ideas of how to create
your own chart
 Submit a final copy for grade
 Due: Day 68, Tuesday, April 28
 Value: 100 points
Catapult - Task 6: Scale Model
Purpose:
Build a Scale Model for your project
TASKS:
Build a scale model of your catapult
 You may choose the scale and the materials
 The model must be representative of your proposed final
product
Bring your model in for grade - and leave it in class as directed
Due: Day 71, Friday, May 1
Value: 400 points
 Design: 80 points
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Craftsmanship: 100 points
Accuracy: 100 points
Total Points Possible: 280 points
Catapult - Task 7: Build Your Prototype
Purpose:
Build your catapult prototype
TASKS:
The work on this project will be done outside of class
Gather the materials and equipment necessary to build your
catapult
Construct your catapult
 As you proceed with the project, you will make any
necessary modifications to the chair/catapult/bridge design
that prove appropriate.
 As part of the process, you will do one of the following:
 Determine what changes are necessary to increase the
performance, aesthetics and/or safety of the catapult
 Continue to improve the design as much as you can
Bring your catapult prototype in for testing - as directed
Due: Day 80, Thursday, May 14
Value:
 Conformity with drawings and model (including design
improvements): 100 points
 Function: 200 points
 Design: 200 points
 Materials: 80 points
 Craftsmanship: 80 points
 Total Points Possible: 660 points
Catapult - Task 8: Test Your Prototype
Purpose:
Test your catapult prototype
TASKS:
Bring your catapult prototype in for testing - as directed
We will test all of the catapults on the same day
You will complete a Catapult Test Record and submit it
Due: Day 80, Thursday, May 14
Value: 300 points
Catapult - Task 9: Evaluate Your Prototype
Purpose:
Evaluate your catapult prototype
TASKS:
Open the Catapult Product Self-Evaluation worksheet and save it in
your "daily" folder
Submit your document
If you did not complete this project:
 You must fill out and submit a Non-Completion Report
Due: Day 81, Friday, May 15
Value: 200 points
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