Summary Build a catapult, experiment with how far it can project, and discuss the forces acting as it works, including gravity. Science content Physics: Motion and Forces, Newton’s Laws, Gravity (K, 2, 6) Physics: Energy forms, Conservation of Energy (1, 3, 4, 5) Physics: Simple and complex Machines (5) Science competencies (+ questioning + manipulation + others that are in every activity) Questioning/predicting: predicting (1 up), hypothesizing (7) Planning/conducting: measuring (non-standard K up, standard 2 up) Planning/conducting: data collection/recording (K up) Processing/analyzing: comparing observations with predictions (1 up) Evaluating: inferring (3 up) Lessons activity is in Force stations Forces: chains of forces and combining forces Materials For each catapult: foam core/very stiff cardboard in a square U shape - see notes on cardboard elastic band, #64 works well and fires 4-5m, #32 works OK but has less power plastic spoon small section of popsicle stick (cut one in thirds) piece of aluminum foil firing line: either lines already in gym or masking tape metre markers (see attached file) to post on walls/floor Procedure Prepare the foam frames in advance - note it takes some time for a class set. Students build their catapult (with help if necessary): stretch the elastic band over the arms of the foam core. Then use the piece of stick to twist up the rubber band before sliding the spoon in, orienting it so that it acts as the arm of the catapult. While staying behind a line, fire balls of tin foil, and record how far they go. After some time, ask what students did to make the balls go the furthest. (Direction of the force, strength of the force by pulling the spoon back more or less, weight/size of the object being fired, strength of the force by twisting the rubber band more or less). Then more time to try out other students’ suggestions. Ask them to think about the forces on the paper ball. Discussion on the forces involved in each stage of the catapult firing (force from hand to pull back the spoon, force in the elastic band (potential energy), force as the elastic band unwinds and moves the spoon, force of the spoon on the foil ball, gravity pulling the foil ball to the ground). There is a chain of forces. Students can measure and record on a graph how far their ammunition goes. More details on catapult forces: It is called a torsion catapult. (In the twisted band - a twising force is called torsion). Torsion catapults used in history: the Roman 'onager', the Medieval 'mangonel'. Attached documents metre_markers.pdf Notes Cardboard from a thick box collapses at the bottom of the U after a couple of tries. Stick with foam core or test your cardboard well first. The U shape is a lot of prep for a whole class, but the simple build is good for younger students. Grades taught Gr K Gr 1 Gr 2 Gr 4 Gr 5 Gr 6
