Catapult+Launch

=Challenge 2: Ready, Aim, Fire!=

Purpose:
To design a catapult from only the supplies given to either shoot a ball of clay the farthest, or the highest.

Key Concepts:

 * Velocity– the direction an object moves and how fast it is moving.
 * Inertia– keeps an object moving or keeps it at rest.
 * Speed– how fast something moves.
 * Force- a push or pull.
 * Simple Machines- a device with few or no moving parts.

Instructions:

 * 1) Explain each of the ideas above. Provide examples and demonstrations to clarify your explanations.
 * 2) Design two possible catapult ideas by drawing them on paper.
 * 3) Evaluate the designs with your buddies. Discuss the positives and negatives of each design. Choose one of your two designs.
 * 4) Construct your catapult.
 * 5) Test your catapult as needed. Decide as a group what changes to make.
 * 6) Redesign your catapult if you wish to make changes.
 * 7) Evaluate the success of your design.
 * 8) Compare the distance of your clay with the speed of other designs.

Follow-Up:

 * Sketch the catapult you have designed, including the use of pulleys or gears:
 * Hypothesize which of the objects below will travel the farthest.
 * Record your measurements in the table below
 * **Object** || **Distance traveled** || **Why do you think it went that far?** ||
 * Clay ball ||  ||   ||
 * Small clay ball ||  ||   ||
 * Paper clip ||  ||   ||
 * Bottle cap ||  ||   ||

Follow Up Interview Questions:

 * What causes the object to move forward?
 * How well did your design work?
 * What if any, modifications did you make to your design? Why?
 * What is the most important thing you have learned from this activity?

PA State Standards in Science and Technology – Grade 4
3.4.4.B. Know basic energy types, sources and conversions 3.4.4.C. Observe and describe different types of force and motion. 3.2.4.D. Recognize and use the technological design process to solve problems.

Resources:

 * Activity Window- May 3th-14th**

See attached Document-