We even discovered how to launch the marshmallows into the pendent lights! We discovered how moving the spoon up verses down changed the force and the arc. This is a great opportunity to test out the engineering process. Let the students come up with several different experiments to find the best way to launch an item. After this we experimented with changing the fulcrum and the force and recording how it changed the results. We experimented with our prediction of which item went the furthest. Have fun and launch items with your catapult. In the end we preferred the spoon because we had more control over the force and could manipulate the energy easier. Variation- you can attach the plastic spoon using rubber bands if you would prefer. Use the sticky dots to attach the bottle lid. Place an elastic around the notched sticks to secure them together.Īttach the bottle lid on. Make sure the notched sections are next to each other. Place the second stick on top of the bundle. Slide one of the notched sticks between the bottom two sticks. Secure the rubber band around the top and bottom to make a bundle of sticks. Gather the other 8 sticks (that do not have a notch). Step 2Ĭut a notch (a small triangle) where you had made the marks. Which object will shoot the furthest? Why? Making the Popsicle Stick Catapult Step 1ĭraw a small line on each side of a jumbo stick about an inch from the top of the stick. ![]() Show them the three different items that you have picked to shoot (we did marshmallows, pompoms and a small candy.) Once they understand these principles move on to making the catapult. Have the students share examples of different kinds of potential energy, kinetic energy and talk about the different kinds of force that may effect it. Stop the ball and discuss how force, kinetic and potential energy are acting together. Show an example of a ball rolling across the table. Popsicle Stick Catapult Lesson Discussionĭiscuss the vocabulary with the students.ĭiscuss the difference between kinetic and potential energy. The children will experiment with this law by exerting force when the want to launch an object. This law simply means that an object cannot stop, start or change its motion on its own. We will be testing this law through this activity. Newtons first law of motion states that a body at rest will remain at rest, and a body in motion will remain in motion unless it is acted upon by an external force. The Engineering Process- preforming a series of steps in order to solve a problem.Fulcrum- the point on which a lever rests or is supported.Force- push or pull on an object that causes it to stop, change directions or start moving.Examples of potential energy: water behind a dam, a child at the top of a slide, water at the top of a waterfall, a raised weight. ![]() Potential Energy- Energy that is “stored” because of the position and/or arrangement of the object.Examples of kinetic energy- running, walking, a car driving, a ball rolling down a hill.Kinetic Energy- Energy that an object has from being in motion.Understanding the Science behind Popsicle Stick Catapults Vocabulary: Items to shoot (marshmallows, pompoms, small candy etc.). ![]() Double sided tape, sticky dots or something similar.Plastic spoon (you can use this instead of a bottle lid).Bottle lid (soda pop or milk caps work great).To use the engineering process to understand the difference between kinetic and potential energy. Popsicle Stick Catapult Lesson Plan Objective: The 6 and 3 year old had fun launching objects. Our 10 and 12 year old got very into the engineering process and really started to understand the science behind why it works. This lead to a great discussion on potential energy. We made the original catapult (described below) then we made slight variations and tested how it changed the results. They will all change the results slightly. There are multiple ways that you can make and tweak the popsicle stick catapult. This is a great activity to teach the engineering process. LOL! We started out making predictions about which object would fly the furthest. The boys enjoyed the process of making the catapult, and let’s be honest, what kid doesn’t love shooting little objects all over the house. Popsicle Stick Catapult was a super fun activity.
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