![]() Popsicle Stick Catapult Design Challengeīuilding catapults is a design and engineering challenge. First, like we did, challenge students to come up with unique designs. So we built that design too, and it worked! Our results were far superior with the cork.īut I’m getting ahead of myself, here’s some of the challenges we did to power up our STEM learning with catapults. ![]() That’s right, instead of using a stack of craft sticks for our fulcrum, we thought a round, somewhat springy cork would make a better fulcrum. You made a catapult! Simple Catapult design with EXTRA power!Īfter studying our catapults (we made them with both regular popsicle sticks and jumbo sticks), we decided there was something we could easily do to power up our designs. Ensure you leave a little bit of room at the end for your fingers to push down to launch. On the opposite end from the rubber band attaching the two sticks, glue on the bottle cap. We prefer not to do this so we can easily adjust our designs to get the most power, however, if you have younger kids the stability and structure will make it easier for them to use. You can secure the V to the fulcrum using another rubber band in a figure 8 pattern. This creates a little ledge for the rubber band to sit on so it doesn’t slide off. If you are having difficult keeping the elastics in place at the end of the V you can put a small notch on either side of the popsicle sticks, or glue on a small button (see craft stick launchers for a similar application). Attach the two sticks with a rubber band on the end so you create a V shape. For extra stability you can slide the popsicle stick between the last stick in the fulcrum, so it is sandwiched in.Īdd a second single stick on top of the fulcrum, also perpendicular to the stack so that it lines up with the bottom stick. Take a single craft stick and place it perpendicular to the stack on the bottom, start by setting the fulcrum about a quarter of the way up the single stick. This helps create some additional stability and strength. To start engineering your catapult, stack eight craft sticks together, one on top of the other and wrap elastics around the ends to hold them together. If you chose to paint first, wait for the paint to dry before assembling. ![]() You can do this at the beginning of the project before you start building, or wait and paint it once it is built (this is more difficult). Just like we did with the Craft Stick Launchers, I encourage you to have your kids customize their catapults by painting the craft sticks and even the bottle cap if you don’t already have coloured popsicle sticks. Plastic bottle cap (or engineer a replacement with craft sticks for older kids).Craft Sticks ( Jumbo craft sticks work better than regular craft sticks but you can use either size!).To start I will shared a common and simple design using limited supplies, then I will share an even better design we developed. The most popular, durable and easy way to design a Catapult is using the ever popular craft sticks, also known as Popsicle sticks. How To Build a Catapult with Popsicle Sticks It’s no wonder catapults still capture the imaginations of students everywhere. It’s design may be relatively simple, but it packs an incredible punch and is a wonderful way to dig into STEM for all ages. Some catapults could launch projectiles weighing over 350 pounds over 300 feet! This weapon of warfare proved incredibly effective and was a key weapon of warfare until Medieval times. This classic STEM activity was first invented in 400 BCE! Invented by The Greek Dionysius the Elder of Syracuse. And that was building the much loved catapult! So this week we set about fixing that.īuilding catapults is an Engineering challenge, where students learn how to follow a design process, but also learn physics and maths. At least not as a stand alone STEM project. ![]() But there was one thing we had never done. Our Craft Stick Launchers were a massive hit both with our kids and with kids around the world. In the past we have built some really fun projects. Or visit our YouTube channel to see if the video has been uploaded there. Not seeing our videos? Turn off any adblockers to ensure our video feed can be seen. As an Amazon Influencer I earn from qualifying purchases. Disclaimer: This article may contain commission or affiliate links.
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