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Catapults

Building catapults can be fun! How far can it go!

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Plan

  • Do you want to do this adventure inside, outside or at camp?
  • What do you know about catapults? How does a catapult work?
  • What materials will you use to build your catapult?
  • How big will your catapults be?
  • How will you decide which catapult design is best?
  • Where will you set up a testing area for your catapults?
  • What will you use for targets?

Do

  • Collect all of the materials you want to use.
  • Explore your materials, and build a few prototypes.
  • Which works best?
  • How can you change the distance your projectile travels?
  • How can you change how well it aims?
  • How many targets can you hit?

Review

  • What do you know now that you did not know before?
  • What decisions did you make while building your catapult?
  • What designs worked the best? How did you decide which designs were the best?
  • Where do you see similar machines in everyday life?
  • What did you like about this adventure?
  • What did you not like? How would you do this adventure differently?
  • What elements of STEM did you use in this adventure? Science? Technology? Engineering? Mathematics?

Materials

  • Craft sticks
  • Plastic spoons
  • Wooden clothespins
  • Bottle caps
  • Rubber bands
  • Any other materials for your catapult
  • Wood glue
  • Tape
  • Projectiles (e.g. ping pong balls, pompoms or mini marshmallows
  • Targets (e.g. plastic bowls or card houses)

Keep it Simple

Take it Further

  • What can you build using your pioneering skills?

Get in Touch

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Scouts Canada Charity Number: 107761694RR0028

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