Mouse Trap Catapult
Mouse Trap Catapult
Basic Instructions: You will be creating a mouse trap catapult with a partner of your choosing. This catapult must be able to launch a ping pong ball 4 meters to land on a target.
1.
Brainstorm as many ideas as possible to construct your catapult.
2.
Select the idea that will best launch the ping pong ball 4 meters to hit the target.
3.
Draw a rough draft of your catapult. Make sure to label all parts and write a description of what you are going to do and how the catapult will work.
4.
Have the idea approved by the teacher.
5.
Gather the necessary materials.
6.
Construct your catapult.
7.
Test your catapult.
8.
Make any modifications.
9.
Shoot at target three times on designated test day.
Bullseye = 8 points
Target shot = 5 points
In the ballpark = 4 points
Forward shot = 2 points
Doesn’t shoot = 0 points
These mousetraps can be very dangerous; therefore this is a NO WARNING LAB: If you participate in any of the following behaviors you will receive a zero with no warning.
1.
Snap the mousetrap to harm someone
2.
Shoot anything other than the ping pong ball on the test site.
3.
Participate in any activity deemed dangerous by the teacher.
You will be graded on the following: Pre-lab questions, observations and inferences, rough sketch of catapult, the accuracy of your mousetrap, and the conclusion questions. This lab is worth 55 points!!! Take this weekend to start brainstorming your design and to answer the prelab questions.
Aim for this lab:
Standard 4: Science, Engineering and Technology Core Standard:
Design and construct a device that converts energy from one form to another to perform work.
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7.4.1 Understand that energy is the capacity to do work.
7.4.2 Explain that energy can be used to do work using many processes (e.g., generation of electricity by harnessing wind energy).
7.4.3 Explain that power is the rate that energy is converted from one form to another.
7.4.4 Explain that power systems are used to provide propulsion for engineered products and systems.
Mousetrap Rubric
Pre-lab – Give Friday, due Monday 3/4 ………………………………………………………. _________ /10 points
Rough Draft Drawing Due Tuesday 3/5 ……………………………………………………._________/ 5 Points
Observation/Inference page Due Thursday 3/7 …………………………………………__________/ 8 points
Accuracy of Mousetrap Due Friday 3/8 ……………………………………………………._________/ 15 points
Discussion questions Due Friday 3/8 …………………………………………………………__________/ 17 points
